used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading TRACKS IN THE SNOW Meantime Joe had proceeded with his butchering and after he had finished, gathered some wood and made himself a little fire.
aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading It took some time to do this, for almost everywhere the wood was wet; but by looking carefully he found some dry branches that were sheltered by the foliage above them, and others that lay under a fallen tree, and presently he had a good fire lighted, and one that was so strong that he could throw wet wood on it and it would soon dry and burn.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading TRACKS IN THE SNOW Meantime Joe had proceeded with his butchering and after he had finished, gathered some wood and made himself a little fire.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading It took some time to do this, for almost everywhere the wood was wet; but by looking carefully he found some dry branches that were sheltered by the foliage above them, and others that lay under a fallen tree, and presently he had a good fire lighted, and one that was so strong that he could throw wet wood on it and it would soon dry and burn.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading TRACKS IN THE SNOW Meantime Joe had proceeded with his butchering and after he had finished, gathered some wood and made himself a little fire.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading After he had waited a while, he went out beyond the trees and looked off toward the ridge where Jack had gone, to see whether he was not yet coming back, but he saw nothing.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Before long he was warm and dry.
on the far side of; further than
From this reading After he had waited a while, he went out beyond the trees and looked off toward the ridge where Jack had gone, to see whether he was not yet coming back, but he saw nothing.
plural of “branch” — a division of some larger or more complex organization
From this reading It took some time to do this, for almost everywhere the wood was wet; but by looking carefully he found some dry branches that were sheltered by the foliage above them, and others that lay under a fallen tree, and presently he had a good fire lighted, and one that was so strong that he could throw wet wood on it and it would soon dry and burn.
a slight wind (usually refreshing)
From this reading He built his fire in a sheltered place, and the light breeze drifted the smoke off down the stream.
(used of soaps or cleaning agents) having a substance (an abrasive or filler) added to increase effectiveness
From this reading He built his fire in a sheltered place, and the light breeze drifted the smoke off down the stream.
To consume or be consumed by fire.
From this reading It took some time to do this, for almost everywhere the wood was wet; but by looking carefully he found some dry branches that were sheltered by the foliage above them, and others that lay under a fallen tree, and presently he had a good fire lighted, and one that was so strong that he could throw wet wood on it and it would soon dry and burn.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading It took some time to do this, for almost everywhere the wood was wet; but by looking carefully he found some dry branches that were sheltered by the foliage above them, and others that lay under a fallen tree, and presently he had a good fire lighted, and one that was so strong that he could throw wet wood on it and it would soon dry and burn.
butcheringnounUS /ˈbʊtʃərɪŋ/
the business of a butcher
From this reading TRACKS IN THE SNOW Meantime Joe had proceeded with his butchering and after he had finished, gathered some wood and made himself a little fire.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading It took some time to do this, for almost everywhere the wood was wet; but by looking carefully he found some dry branches that were sheltered by the foliage above them, and others that lay under a fallen tree, and presently he had a good fire lighted, and one that was so strong that he could throw wet wood on it and it would soon dry and burn.
taking care or paying attention
From this reading It took some time to do this, for almost everywhere the wood was wet; but by looking carefully he found some dry branches that were sheltered by the foliage above them, and others that lay under a fallen tree, and presently he had a good fire lighted, and one that was so strong that he could throw wet wood on it and it would soon dry and burn.
the act of drawing spatially closer to something
From this reading After he had waited a while, he went out beyond the trees and looked off toward the ridge where Jack had gone, to see whether he was not yet coming back, but he saw nothing.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading It took some time to do this, for almost everywhere the wood was wet; but by looking carefully he found some dry branches that were sheltered by the foliage above them, and others that lay under a fallen tree, and presently he had a good fire lighted, and one that was so strong that he could throw wet wood on it and it would soon dry and burn.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading It took some time to do this, for almost everywhere the wood was wet; but by looking carefully he found some dry branches that were sheltered by the foliage above them, and others that lay under a fallen tree, and presently he had a good fire lighted, and one that was so strong that he could throw wet wood on it and it would soon dry and burn.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading He built his fire in a sheltered place, and the light breeze drifted the smoke off down the stream.
driftedverbUS /ˈdrɪftəd/
past form of “drift” — be in motion due to some air or water current
From this reading He built his fire in a sheltered place, and the light breeze drifted the smoke off down the stream.
free from liquid or moisture; lacking natural or normal moisture or depleted of water; or no longer wet
From this reading It took some time to do this, for almost everywhere the wood was wet; but by looking carefully he found some dry branches that were sheltered by the foliage above them, and others that lay under a fallen tree, and presently he had a good fire lighted, and one that was so strong that he could throw wet wood on it and it would soon dry and burn.
to or in any or all places
From this reading It took some time to do this, for almost everywhere the wood was wet; but by looking carefully he found some dry branches that were sheltered by the foliage above them, and others that lay under a fallen tree, and presently he had a good fire lighted, and one that was so strong that he could throw wet wood on it and it would soon dry and burn.
having dropped by the force of gravity
From this reading It took some time to do this, for almost everywhere the wood was wet; but by looking carefully he found some dry branches that were sheltered by the foliage above them, and others that lay under a fallen tree, and presently he had a good fire lighted, and one that was so strong that he could throw wet wood on it and it would soon dry and burn.
(of materials or goods) brought to the desired final state
From this reading TRACKS IN THE SNOW Meantime Joe had proceeded with his butchering and after he had finished, gathered some wood and made himself a little fire.
start firing a weapon
From this reading TRACKS IN THE SNOW Meantime Joe had proceeded with his butchering and after he had finished, gathered some wood and made himself a little fire.
foliagenounUS /ˈfoʊlɪdʒ/
the main organ of photosynthesis and transpiration in higher plants
From this reading It took some time to do this, for almost everywhere the wood was wet; but by looking carefully he found some dry branches that were sheltered by the foliage above them, and others that lay under a fallen tree, and presently he had a good fire lighted, and one that was so strong that he could throw wet wood on it and it would soon dry and burn.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading It took some time to do this, for almost everywhere the wood was wet; but by looking carefully he found some dry branches that were sheltered by the foliage above them, and others that lay under a fallen tree, and presently he had a good fire lighted, and one that was so strong that he could throw wet wood on it and it would soon dry and burn.
set up or found
From this reading It took some time to do this, for almost everywhere the wood was wet; but by looking carefully he found some dry branches that were sheltered by the foliage above them, and others that lay under a fallen tree, and presently he had a good fire lighted, and one that was so strong that he could throw wet wood on it and it would soon dry and burn.
brought together in one place
From this reading TRACKS IN THE SNOW Meantime Joe had proceeded with his butchering and after he had finished, gathered some wood and made himself a little fire.
destroyed or killed
From this reading After he had waited a while, he went out beyond the trees and looked off toward the ridge where Jack had gone, to see whether he was not yet coming back, but he saw nothing.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading It took some time to do this, for almost everywhere the wood was wet; but by looking carefully he found some dry branches that were sheltered by the foliage above them, and others that lay under a fallen tree, and presently he had a good fire lighted, and one that was so strong that he could throw wet wood on it and it would soon dry and burn.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading TRACKS IN THE SNOW Meantime Joe had proceeded with his butchering and after he had finished, gathered some wood and made himself a little fire.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading TRACKS IN THE SNOW Meantime Joe had proceeded with his butchering and after he had finished, gathered some wood and made himself a little fire.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading TRACKS IN THE SNOW Meantime Joe had proceeded with his butchering and after he had finished, gathered some wood and made himself a little fire.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading TRACKS IN THE SNOW Meantime Joe had proceeded with his butchering and after he had finished, gathered some wood and made himself a little fire.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading TRACKS IN THE SNOW Meantime Joe had proceeded with his butchering and after he had finished, gathered some wood and made himself a little fire.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It took some time to do this, for almost everywhere the wood was wet; but by looking carefully he found some dry branches that were sheltered by the foliage above them, and others that lay under a fallen tree, and presently he had a good fire lighted, and one that was so strong that he could throw wet wood on it and it would soon dry and burn.
a small worthless amount
From this reading After he had waited a while, he went out beyond the trees and looked off toward the ridge where Jack had gone, to see whether he was not yet coming back, but he saw nothing.
Joe
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading TRACKS IN THE SNOW Meantime Joe had proceeded with his butchering and after he had finished, gathered some wood and made himself a little fire.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading It took some time to do this, for almost everywhere the wood was wet; but by looking carefully he found some dry branches that were sheltered by the foliage above them, and others that lay under a fallen tree, and presently he had a good fire lighted, and one that was so strong that he could throw wet wood on it and it would soon dry and burn.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading He built his fire in a sheltered place, and the light breeze drifted the smoke off down the stream.
set afire or burning
From this reading It took some time to do this, for almost everywhere the wood was wet; but by looking carefully he found some dry branches that were sheltered by the foliage above them, and others that lay under a fallen tree, and presently he had a good fire lighted, and one that was so strong that he could throw wet wood on it and it would soon dry and burn.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading TRACKS IN THE SNOW Meantime Joe had proceeded with his butchering and after he had finished, gathered some wood and made himself a little fire.
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading Before long he was warm and dry.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading After he had waited a while, he went out beyond the trees and looked off toward the ridge where Jack had gone, to see whether he was not yet coming back, but he saw nothing.
the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually
From this reading It took some time to do this, for almost everywhere the wood was wet; but by looking carefully he found some dry branches that were sheltered by the foliage above them, and others that lay under a fallen tree, and presently he had a good fire lighted, and one that was so strong that he could throw wet wood on it and it would soon dry and burn.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading TRACKS IN THE SNOW Meantime Joe had proceeded with his butchering and after he had finished, gathered some wood and made himself a little fire.
the time between one event, process, or period and another
From this reading TRACKS IN THE SNOW Meantime Joe had proceeded with his butchering and after he had finished, gathered some wood and made himself a little fire.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading After he had waited a while, he went out beyond the trees and looked off toward the ridge where Jack had gone, to see whether he was not yet coming back, but he saw nothing.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading After he had waited a while, he went out beyond the trees and looked off toward the ridge where Jack had gone, to see whether he was not yet coming back, but he saw nothing.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading He built his fire in a sheltered place, and the light breeze drifted the smoke off down the stream.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading It took some time to do this, for almost everywhere the wood was wet; but by looking carefully he found some dry branches that were sheltered by the foliage above them, and others that lay under a fallen tree, and presently he had a good fire lighted, and one that was so strong that he could throw wet wood on it and it would soon dry and burn.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading It took some time to do this, for almost everywhere the wood was wet; but by looking carefully he found some dry branches that were sheltered by the foliage above them, and others that lay under a fallen tree, and presently he had a good fire lighted, and one that was so strong that he could throw wet wood on it and it would soon dry and burn.
others
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It took some time to do this, for almost everywhere the wood was wet; but by looking carefully he found some dry branches that were sheltered by the foliage above them, and others that lay under a fallen tree, and presently he had a good fire lighted, and one that was so strong that he could throw wet wood on it and it would soon dry and burn.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading After he had waited a while, he went out beyond the trees and looked off toward the ridge where Jack had gone, to see whether he was not yet coming back, but he saw nothing.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading He built his fire in a sheltered place, and the light breeze drifted the smoke off down the stream.
in the near future
From this reading It took some time to do this, for almost everywhere the wood was wet; but by looking carefully he found some dry branches that were sheltered by the foliage above them, and others that lay under a fallen tree, and presently he had a good fire lighted, and one that was so strong that he could throw wet wood on it and it would soon dry and burn.
past form of “proceed” — continue talking
From this reading TRACKS IN THE SNOW Meantime Joe had proceeded with his butchering and after he had finished, gathered some wood and made himself a little fire.
ridgenounUS /rɪdʒ/
a long narrow natural elevation or striation
From this reading After he had waited a while, he went out beyond the trees and looked off toward the ridge where Jack had gone, to see whether he was not yet coming back, but he saw nothing.
cut with a saw
From this reading After he had waited a while, he went out beyond the trees and looked off toward the ridge where Jack had gone, to see whether he was not yet coming back, but he saw nothing.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading After he had waited a while, he went out beyond the trees and looked off toward the ridge where Jack had gone, to see whether he was not yet coming back, but he saw nothing.
shelteredadjectiveUS /ˈʃeltərd/
protected from danger or bad weather
From this reading It took some time to do this, for almost everywhere the wood was wet; but by looking carefully he found some dry branches that were sheltered by the foliage above them, and others that lay under a fallen tree, and presently he had a good fire lighted, and one that was so strong that he could throw wet wood on it and it would soon dry and burn.
a cloud of fine particles suspended in a gas
From this reading He built his fire in a sheltered place, and the light breeze drifted the smoke off down the stream.
precipitation falling from clouds in the form of ice crystals
From this reading TRACKS IN THE SNOW Meantime Joe had proceeded with his butchering and after he had finished, gathered some wood and made himself a little fire.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading It took some time to do this, for almost everywhere the wood was wet; but by looking carefully he found some dry branches that were sheltered by the foliage above them, and others that lay under a fallen tree, and presently he had a good fire lighted, and one that was so strong that he could throw wet wood on it and it would soon dry and burn.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading TRACKS IN THE SNOW Meantime Joe had proceeded with his butchering and after he had finished, gathered some wood and made himself a little fire.
in the near future
From this reading It took some time to do this, for almost everywhere the wood was wet; but by looking carefully he found some dry branches that were sheltered by the foliage above them, and others that lay under a fallen tree, and presently he had a good fire lighted, and one that was so strong that he could throw wet wood on it and it would soon dry and burn.
a natural body of running water flowing on or under the earth
From this reading He built his fire in a sheltered place, and the light breeze drifted the smoke off down the stream.
having strength or power greater than average or expected
From this reading It took some time to do this, for almost everywhere the wood was wet; but by looking carefully he found some dry branches that were sheltered by the foliage above them, and others that lay under a fallen tree, and presently he had a good fire lighted, and one that was so strong that he could throw wet wood on it and it would soon dry and burn.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It took some time to do this, for almost everywhere the wood was wet; but by looking carefully he found some dry branches that were sheltered by the foliage above them, and others that lay under a fallen tree, and presently he had a good fire lighted, and one that was so strong that he could throw wet wood on it and it would soon dry and burn.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading TRACKS IN THE SNOW Meantime Joe had proceeded with his butchering and after he had finished, gathered some wood and made himself a little fire.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading It took some time to do this, for almost everywhere the wood was wet; but by looking carefully he found some dry branches that were sheltered by the foliage above them, and others that lay under a fallen tree, and presently he had a good fire lighted, and one that was so strong that he could throw wet wood on it and it would soon dry and burn.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading It took some time to do this, for almost everywhere the wood was wet; but by looking carefully he found some dry branches that were sheltered by the foliage above them, and others that lay under a fallen tree, and presently he had a good fire lighted, and one that was so strong that he could throw wet wood on it and it would soon dry and burn.
propel through the air
From this reading It took some time to do this, for almost everywhere the wood was wet; but by looking carefully he found some dry branches that were sheltered by the foliage above them, and others that lay under a fallen tree, and presently he had a good fire lighted, and one that was so strong that he could throw wet wood on it and it would soon dry and burn.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading It took some time to do this, for almost everywhere the wood was wet; but by looking carefully he found some dry branches that were sheltered by the foliage above them, and others that lay under a fallen tree, and presently he had a good fire lighted, and one that was so strong that he could throw wet wood on it and it would soon dry and burn.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It took some time to do this, for almost everywhere the wood was wet; but by looking carefully he found some dry branches that were sheltered by the foliage above them, and others that lay under a fallen tree, and presently he had a good fire lighted, and one that was so strong that he could throw wet wood on it and it would soon dry and burn.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading It took some time to do this, for almost everywhere the wood was wet; but by looking carefully he found some dry branches that were sheltered by the foliage above them, and others that lay under a fallen tree, and presently he had a good fire lighted, and one that was so strong that he could throw wet wood on it and it would soon dry and burn.
towardprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrd/
in the direction of
From this reading After he had waited a while, he went out beyond the trees and looked off toward the ridge where Jack had gone, to see whether he was not yet coming back, but he saw nothing.
TRACKSnounUS /træks/
plural of “track” — a line or route along which something travels or moves
From this reading TRACKS IN THE SNOW Meantime Joe had proceeded with his butchering and after he had finished, gathered some wood and made himself a little fire.
a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms
From this reading It took some time to do this, for almost everywhere the wood was wet; but by looking carefully he found some dry branches that were sheltered by the foliage above them, and others that lay under a fallen tree, and presently he had a good fire lighted, and one that was so strong that he could throw wet wood on it and it would soon dry and burn.
plural of “tree” — a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms
From this reading After he had waited a while, he went out beyond the trees and looked off toward the ridge where Jack had gone, to see whether he was not yet coming back, but he saw nothing.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading It took some time to do this, for almost everywhere the wood was wet; but by looking carefully he found some dry branches that were sheltered by the foliage above them, and others that lay under a fallen tree, and presently he had a good fire lighted, and one that was so strong that he could throw wet wood on it and it would soon dry and burn.
past form of “wait” — stay in one place and anticipate or expect something
From this reading After he had waited a while, he went out beyond the trees and looked off toward the ridge where Jack had gone, to see whether he was not yet coming back, but he saw nothing.
having or producing a comfortable and agreeable degree of heat or imparting or maintaining heat
From this reading Before long he was warm and dry.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It took some time to do this, for almost everywhere the wood was wet; but by looking carefully he found some dry branches that were sheltered by the foliage above them, and others that lay under a fallen tree, and presently he had a good fire lighted, and one that was so strong that he could throw wet wood on it and it would soon dry and burn.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading After he had waited a while, he went out beyond the trees and looked off toward the ridge where Jack had gone, to see whether he was not yet coming back, but he saw nothing.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading It took some time to do this, for almost everywhere the wood was wet; but by looking carefully he found some dry branches that were sheltered by the foliage above them, and others that lay under a fallen tree, and presently he had a good fire lighted, and one that was so strong that he could throw wet wood on it and it would soon dry and burn.
covered or soaked with a liquid such as water
From this reading It took some time to do this, for almost everywhere the wood was wet; but by looking carefully he found some dry branches that were sheltered by the foliage above them, and others that lay under a fallen tree, and presently he had a good fire lighted, and one that was so strong that he could throw wet wood on it and it would soon dry and burn.
in or at the place that
From this reading After he had waited a while, he went out beyond the trees and looked off toward the ridge where Jack had gone, to see whether he was not yet coming back, but he saw nothing.
used to introduce two or more possibilities
From this reading After he had waited a while, he went out beyond the trees and looked off toward the ridge where Jack had gone, to see whether he was not yet coming back, but he saw nothing.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading After he had waited a while, he went out beyond the trees and looked off toward the ridge where Jack had gone, to see whether he was not yet coming back, but he saw nothing.
in the company of; together with
From this reading TRACKS IN THE SNOW Meantime Joe had proceeded with his butchering and after he had finished, gathered some wood and made himself a little fire.
the hard fibrous lignified substance under the bark of trees
From this reading TRACKS IN THE SNOW Meantime Joe had proceeded with his butchering and after he had finished, gathered some wood and made himself a little fire.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading It took some time to do this, for almost everywhere the wood was wet; but by looking carefully he found some dry branches that were sheltered by the foliage above them, and others that lay under a fallen tree, and presently he had a good fire lighted, and one that was so strong that he could throw wet wood on it and it would soon dry and burn.
but in spite of that
From this reading After he had waited a while, he went out beyond the trees and looked off toward the ridge where Jack had gone, to see whether he was not yet coming back, but he saw nothing.
