used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading "Just mush on a yard or two, not far, Jan."
prior to a specified or implied time
From this reading The sled--its runners already tight frozen--creaked, jerked, and slid forward just eight feet.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Jan gave a short, low bark; and in the same moment the five huskies flung themselves into their collars behind him.
barknounUS /bɑːrk/
tough protective covering of the woody stems and roots of trees and other woody plants
From this reading Jan gave a short, low bark; and in the same moment the five huskies flung themselves into their collars behind him.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading Jan gave a short, low bark; and in the same moment the five huskies flung themselves into their collars behind him.
carelessnessnounUS /ˈkerləsnəs/
the quality of not being careful or taking pains
From this reading Of set purpose, Willis spoke with elaborate carelessness.
collarsnounUS /ˈkɑːlərz/
plural of “collar” — a band that fits around the neck and is usually folded over
From this reading Jan gave a short, low bark; and in the same moment the five huskies flung themselves into their collars behind him.
conversationaladjectiveUS /ˌkɑːnvərˈseɪʃənəl/
characteristic of informal spoken language or conversation
From this reading His tone was conversational.
creakedverbUS /kriːkt/
past form of “creak” — make a high-pitched, screeching noise
From this reading The sled--its runners already tight frozen--creaked, jerked, and slid forward just eight feet.
being one more than seven
From this reading The sled--its runners already tight frozen--creaked, jerked, and slid forward just eight feet.
elaborateadjectiveUS /ɪˈlæbrət/
marked by complexity and richness of detail
From this reading Of set purpose, Willis spoke with elaborate carelessness.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading "Just mush on a yard or two, not far, Jan."
plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading The sled--its runners already tight frozen--creaked, jerked, and slid forward just eight feet.
the cardinal number that is the sum of four and one
From this reading Jan gave a short, low bark; and in the same moment the five huskies flung themselves into their collars behind him.
inflected form of “fling” — throw with force or recklessness
From this reading Jan gave a short, low bark; and in the same moment the five huskies flung themselves into their collars behind him.
at or to or toward the front
From this reading The sled--its runners already tight frozen--creaked, jerked, and slid forward just eight feet.
frozenadjectiveUS /ˈfroʊzən/
turned into ice; affected by freezing or by long and severe cold
From this reading The sled--its runners already tight frozen--creaked, jerked, and slid forward just eight feet.
inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading Jan gave a short, low bark; and in the same moment the five huskies flung themselves into their collars behind him.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Jan gave a short, low bark; and in the same moment the five huskies flung themselves into their collars behind him.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading His tone was conversational.
huskies
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jan gave a short, low bark; and in the same moment the five huskies flung themselves into their collars behind him.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Jan gave a short, low bark; and in the same moment the five huskies flung themselves into their collars behind him.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Jan gave a short, low bark; and in the same moment the five huskies flung themselves into their collars behind him.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading The sled--its runners already tight frozen--creaked, jerked, and slid forward just eight feet.
JannounUS /dʒæn/
the first month of the year; begins 10 days after the winter solstice
From this reading "Just mush on a yard or two, not far, Jan."
jerkedverbUS /dʒɜːrkt/
past form of “jerk” — pull, or move with a sudden movement
From this reading The sled--its runners already tight frozen--creaked, jerked, and slid forward just eight feet.
and nothing more
From this reading "Just mush on a yard or two, not far, Jan."
less than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading Jan gave a short, low bark; and in the same moment the five huskies flung themselves into their collars behind him.
a particular point in time
From this reading Jan gave a short, low bark; and in the same moment the five huskies flung themselves into their collars behind him.
mushnounUS /mʌʃ/
any soft or soggy mass
From this reading "Just mush on a yard or two, not far, Jan."
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading "Just mush on a yard or two, not far, Jan."
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Of set purpose, Willis spoke with elaborate carelessness.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading "Just mush on a yard or two, not far, Jan."
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading "Just mush on a yard or two, not far, Jan."
an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions
From this reading Of set purpose, Willis spoke with elaborate carelessness.
runnersnounUS /ˈrʌnərz/
plural of “runner” — someone who imports or exports without paying duties
From this reading The sled--its runners already tight frozen--creaked, jerked, and slid forward just eight feet.
Identical; not different.
From this reading Jan gave a short, low bark; and in the same moment the five huskies flung themselves into their collars behind him.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading Of set purpose, Willis spoke with elaborate carelessness.
primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration
From this reading Jan gave a short, low bark; and in the same moment the five huskies flung themselves into their collars behind him.
slednounUS /sled/
a vehicle mounted on runners and pulled by horses or dogs; for transportation over snow
From this reading The sled--its runners already tight frozen--creaked, jerked, and slid forward just eight feet.
slidverbUS /slɪd/
inflected form of “slide” — move obliquely or sideways, usually in an uncontrolled manner
From this reading The sled--its runners already tight frozen--creaked, jerked, and slid forward just eight feet.
support consisting of a radial member of a wheel joining the hub to the rim
From this reading Of set purpose, Willis spoke with elaborate carelessness.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Jan gave a short, low bark; and in the same moment the five huskies flung themselves into their collars behind him.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Jan gave a short, low bark; and in the same moment the five huskies flung themselves into their collars behind him.
used when the people doing the action are also its object
From this reading Jan gave a short, low bark; and in the same moment the five huskies flung themselves into their collars behind him.
tightadjectiveUS /taɪt/
closely constrained or constricted or constricting
From this reading The sled--its runners already tight frozen--creaked, jerked, and slid forward just eight feet.
the quality of a person's voice
From this reading His tone was conversational.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading "Just mush on a yard or two, not far, Jan."
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading His tone was conversational.
WillisnounUS /ˈwɪlɪs/
English physician who was a pioneer in the study of the brain (1621-1675)
From this reading Of set purpose, Willis spoke with elaborate carelessness.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Of set purpose, Willis spoke with elaborate carelessness.
a unit of length equal to 3 feet; defined as 91.44 centimeters; originally taken to be the average length of a stride
From this reading "Just mush on a yard or two, not far, Jan."
