used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Still it was with a grunt of disgust that he threw back his blankets next morning, for a heavy rime was falling and everything appeared white and cold to his gaze.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Glancing up at that celestial clock—the North Guards—and finding its tail pointing well toward the south, he arose and set about building a fire.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading Contrast to Delgezie’s fears the wind played no pranks with them that night, but after coquetting around all points of the compass, suddenly died out altogether.
(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 Contrast to Delgezie’s fears the wind played no pranks with them that night, but after coquetting around all points of the compass, suddenly died out altogether.
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading Contrast to Delgezie’s fears the wind played no pranks with them that night, but after coquetting around all points of the compass, suddenly died out altogether.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Still it was with a grunt of disgust that he threw back his blankets next morning, for a heavy rime was falling and everything appeared white and cold to his gaze.
past form of “appear” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading Still it was with a grunt of disgust that he threw back his blankets next morning, for a heavy rime was falling and everything appeared white and cold to his gaze.
inflected form of “arise” — come into existence; take on form or shape
From this reading Glancing up at that celestial clock—the North Guards—and finding its tail pointing well toward the south, he arose and set about building a fire.
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading Contrast to Delgezie’s fears the wind played no pranks with them that night, but after coquetting around all points of the compass, suddenly died out altogether.
assistantnounUS /əˈsɪstənt/
a person who contributes to the fulfillment of a need or furtherance of an effort or purpose
From this reading However after much patient coaxing the mass was at last got into a blaze, and, unceremoniously awakening his assistant with a dexterous kick, he proceeded to prepare breakfast.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Glancing up at that celestial clock—the North Guards—and finding its tail pointing well toward the south, he arose and set about building a fire.
awakeningnounUS /əˈweɪkənɪŋ/
the act of waking
From this reading However after much patient coaxing the mass was at last got into a blaze, and, unceremoniously awakening his assistant with a dexterous kick, he proceeded to prepare breakfast.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading Still it was with a grunt of disgust that he threw back his blankets next morning, for a heavy rime was falling and everything appeared white and cold to his gaze.
blanketsnounUS /ˈblæŋkəts/
plural of “blanket” — bedding that keeps a person warm in bed
From this reading Still it was with a grunt of disgust that he threw back his blankets next morning, for a heavy rime was falling and everything appeared white and cold to his gaze.
blazenounUS /bleɪz/
a strong flame that burns brightly
From this reading However after much patient coaxing the mass was at last got into a blaze, and, unceremoniously awakening his assistant with a dexterous kick, he proceeded to prepare breakfast.
eat an early morning meal
From this reading However after much patient coaxing the mass was at last got into a blaze, and, unceremoniously awakening his assistant with a dexterous kick, he proceeded to prepare breakfast.
a structure that has a roof and walls and stands more or less permanently in one place
From this reading Glancing up at that celestial clock—the North Guards—and finding its tail pointing well toward the south, he arose and set about building a fire.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Contrast to Delgezie’s fears the wind played no pranks with them that night, but after coquetting around all points of the compass, suddenly died out altogether.
celestialadjectiveUS /səˈlestʃəl/
of or relating to the sky
From this reading Glancing up at that celestial clock—the North Guards—and finding its tail pointing well toward the south, he arose and set about building a fire.
a timepiece that shows the time of day
From this reading Glancing up at that celestial clock—the North Guards—and finding its tail pointing well toward the south, he arose and set about building a fire.
coatedadjectiveUS /ˈkoʊtəd/
having a coating; covered with an outer layer or film; often used in combination
From this reading But the kindlings were coated with rime and he experienced much difficulty in persuading them to ignite.
coaxingadjectiveUS /ˈkoʊksɪŋ/
pleasingly persuasive or intended to persuade
From this reading However after much patient coaxing the mass was at last got into a blaze, and, unceremoniously awakening his assistant with a dexterous kick, he proceeded to prepare breakfast.
having a low or inadequate temperature or feeling a sensation of coldness or having been made cold by e.g. ice or refrigeration
From this reading Still it was with a grunt of disgust that he threw back his blankets next morning, for a heavy rime was falling and everything appeared white and cold to his gaze.
compassnounUS /ˈkʌmpəs/
navigational instrument for finding directions
From this reading Contrast to Delgezie’s fears the wind played no pranks with them that night, but after coquetting around all points of the compass, suddenly died out altogether.
ContrastnounUS /ˈkɑːntræst/
the opposition or dissimilarity of things that are compared
From this reading Contrast to Delgezie’s fears the wind played no pranks with them that night, but after coquetting around all points of the compass, suddenly died out altogether.
coquetting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Contrast to Delgezie’s fears the wind played no pranks with them that night, but after coquetting around all points of the compass, suddenly died out altogether.
Delgezie's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Contrast to Delgezie’s fears the wind played no pranks with them that night, but after coquetting around all points of the compass, suddenly died out altogether.
dexterousadjective
skillful in physical movements; especially of the hands
From this reading However after much patient coaxing the mass was at last got into a blaze, and, unceremoniously awakening his assistant with a dexterous kick, he proceeded to prepare breakfast.
past form of “die” — pass from physical life and lose all bodily attributes and functions necessary to sustain life
From this reading Contrast to Delgezie’s fears the wind played no pranks with them that night, but after coquetting around all points of the compass, suddenly died out altogether.
an effort that is inconvenient
From this reading But the kindlings were coated with rime and he experienced much difficulty in persuading them to ignite.
disgustverbUS /dɪsˈɡʌst/
fill with distaste
From this reading Still it was with a grunt of disgust that he threw back his blankets next morning, for a heavy rime was falling and everything appeared white and cold to his gaze.
all things; all of a situation
From this reading Still it was with a grunt of disgust that he threw back his blankets next morning, for a heavy rime was falling and everything appeared white and cold to his gaze.
having experience; having knowledge or skill from observation or participation
From this reading But the kindlings were coated with rime and he experienced much difficulty in persuading them to ignite.
decreasing in amount or degree
From this reading Still it was with a grunt of disgust that he threw back his blankets next morning, for a heavy rime was falling and everything appeared white and cold to his gaze.
plural of “fear” — an emotion experienced in anticipation of some specific pain or danger (usually accompanied by a desire to flee or fight)
From this reading Contrast to Delgezie’s fears the wind played no pranks with them that night, but after coquetting around all points of the compass, suddenly died out altogether.
the act of determining the properties of something, usually by research or calculation
From this reading Glancing up at that celestial clock—the North Guards—and finding its tail pointing well toward the south, he arose and set about building a fire.
start firing a weapon
From this reading Glancing up at that celestial clock—the North Guards—and finding its tail pointing well toward the south, he arose and set about building a fire.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Still it was with a grunt of disgust that he threw back his blankets next morning, for a heavy rime was falling and everything appeared white and cold to his gaze.
a long fixed look
From this reading Still it was with a grunt of disgust that he threw back his blankets next morning, for a heavy rime was falling and everything appeared white and cold to his gaze.
-ing form of “glance” — throw a glance at; take a brief look at
From this reading Glancing up at that celestial clock—the North Guards—and finding its tail pointing well toward the south, he arose and set about building a fire.
inflected form of “get” — come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading However after much patient coaxing the mass was at last got into a blaze, and, unceremoniously awakening his assistant with a dexterous kick, he proceeded to prepare breakfast.
gruntnounUS /ɡrʌnt/
the short low gruff noise of the kind made by hogs
From this reading Still it was with a grunt of disgust that he threw back his blankets next morning, for a heavy rime was falling and everything appeared white and cold to his gaze.
GuardsnounUS /ɡɑːrdz/
plural of “guard” — a person who keeps watch over something or someone
From this reading Glancing up at that celestial clock—the North Guards—and finding its tail pointing well toward the south, he arose and set about building a fire.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Still it was with a grunt of disgust that he threw back his blankets next morning, for a heavy rime was falling and everything appeared white and cold to his gaze.
of comparatively great physical weight or density
From this reading Still it was with a grunt of disgust that he threw back his blankets next morning, for a heavy rime was falling and everything appeared white and cold to his gaze.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Still it was with a grunt of disgust that he threw back his blankets next morning, for a heavy rime was falling and everything appeared white and cold to his gaze.
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading However after much patient coaxing the mass was at last got into a blaze, and, unceremoniously awakening his assistant with a dexterous kick, he proceeded to prepare breakfast.
igniteverbUS /ˌɪɡˈnaɪt/
cause to start burning; subject to fire or great heat
From this reading But the kindlings were coated with rime and he experienced much difficulty in persuading them to ignite.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading But the kindlings were coated with rime and he experienced much difficulty in persuading them to ignite.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading However after much patient coaxing the mass was at last got into a blaze, and, unceremoniously awakening his assistant with a dexterous kick, he proceeded to prepare breakfast.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Still it was with a grunt of disgust that he threw back his blankets next morning, for a heavy rime was falling and everything appeared white and cold to his gaze.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading Glancing up at that celestial clock—the North Guards—and finding its tail pointing well toward the south, he arose and set about building a fire.
kickverbUS /kɪk/
drive or propel with the foot
From this reading However after much patient coaxing the mass was at last got into a blaze, and, unceremoniously awakening his assistant with a dexterous kick, he proceeded to prepare breakfast.
kindlings
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But the kindlings were coated with rime and he experienced much difficulty in persuading them to ignite.
immediately past
From this reading However after much patient coaxing the mass was at last got into a blaze, and, unceremoniously awakening his assistant with a dexterous kick, he proceeded to prepare breakfast.
the property of a body that causes it to have weight in a gravitational field
From this reading However after much patient coaxing the mass was at last got into a blaze, and, unceremoniously awakening his assistant with a dexterous kick, he proceeded to prepare breakfast.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading Still it was with a grunt of disgust that he threw back his blankets next morning, for a heavy rime was falling and everything appeared white and cold to his gaze.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading But the kindlings were coated with rime and he experienced much difficulty in persuading them to ignite.
immediately following in time or order
From this reading Still it was with a grunt of disgust that he threw back his blankets next morning, for a heavy rime was falling and everything appeared white and cold to his gaze.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading Contrast to Delgezie’s fears the wind played no pranks with them that night, but after coquetting around all points of the compass, suddenly died out altogether.
not any; not one
From this reading Contrast to Delgezie’s fears the wind played no pranks with them that night, but after coquetting around all points of the compass, suddenly died out altogether.
the region of the United States lying to the north of the Mason-Dixon line
From this reading Glancing up at that celestial clock—the North Guards—and finding its tail pointing well toward the south, he arose and set about building a fire.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Contrast to Delgezie’s fears the wind played no pranks with them that night, but after coquetting around all points of the compass, suddenly died out altogether.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Contrast to Delgezie’s fears the wind played no pranks with them that night, but after coquetting around all points of the compass, suddenly died out altogether.
a person who requires medical care
From this reading However after much patient coaxing the mass was at last got into a blaze, and, unceremoniously awakening his assistant with a dexterous kick, he proceeded to prepare breakfast.
persuadingverbUS /pərˈsweɪdɪŋ/
-ing form of “persuade” — win approval or support for
From this reading But the kindlings were coated with rime and he experienced much difficulty in persuading them to ignite.
(of games) engaged in
From this reading Contrast to Delgezie’s fears the wind played no pranks with them that night, but after coquetting around all points of the compass, suddenly died out altogether.
-ing form of “point” — indicate a place, direction, person, or thing; either spatially or figuratively
From this reading Glancing up at that celestial clock—the North Guards—and finding its tail pointing well toward the south, he arose and set about building a fire.
plural of “point” — a geometric element that has position but no extension
From this reading Contrast to Delgezie’s fears the wind played no pranks with them that night, but after coquetting around all points of the compass, suddenly died out altogether.
pranksnounUS /præŋks/
plural of “prank” — acting like a clown or buffoon
From this reading Contrast to Delgezie’s fears the wind played no pranks with them that night, but after coquetting around all points of the compass, suddenly died out altogether.
prepareverbUS /priˈper/
make ready or suitable or equip in advance for a particular purpose or for some use, event, etc
From this reading However after much patient coaxing the mass was at last got into a blaze, and, unceremoniously awakening his assistant with a dexterous kick, he proceeded to prepare breakfast.
past form of “proceed” — continue talking
From this reading However after much patient coaxing the mass was at last got into a blaze, and, unceremoniously awakening his assistant with a dexterous kick, he proceeded to prepare breakfast.
rimenounUS /raɪm/
ice crystals forming a white deposit (especially on objects outside)
From this reading Still it was with a grunt of disgust that he threw back his blankets next morning, for a heavy rime was falling and everything appeared white and cold to his gaze.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading Glancing up at that celestial clock—the North Guards—and finding its tail pointing well toward the south, he arose and set about building a fire.
the region of the United States lying to the south of the Mason-Dixon line
From this reading Glancing up at that celestial clock—the North Guards—and finding its tail pointing well toward the south, he arose and set about building a fire.
not in physical motion
From this reading Still it was with a grunt of disgust that he threw back his blankets next morning, for a heavy rime was falling and everything appeared white and cold to his gaze.
happening unexpectedly
From this reading Contrast to Delgezie’s fears the wind played no pranks with them that night, but after coquetting around all points of the compass, suddenly died out altogether.
the posterior part of the body of a vertebrate especially when elongated and extending beyond the trunk or main part of the body
From this reading Glancing up at that celestial clock—the North Guards—and finding its tail pointing well toward the south, he arose and set about building a fire.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Contrast to Delgezie’s fears the wind played no pranks with them that night, but after coquetting around all points of the compass, suddenly died out altogether.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Contrast to Delgezie’s fears the wind played no pranks with them that night, but after coquetting around all points of the compass, suddenly died out altogether.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Contrast to Delgezie’s fears the wind played no pranks with them that night, but after coquetting around all points of the compass, suddenly died out altogether.
inflected form of “throw” — propel through the air
From this reading Still it was with a grunt of disgust that he threw back his blankets next morning, for a heavy rime was falling and everything appeared white and cold to his gaze.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Contrast to Delgezie’s fears the wind played no pranks with them that night, but after coquetting around all points of the compass, suddenly died out altogether.
towardprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrd/
in the direction of
From this reading Glancing up at that celestial clock—the North Guards—and finding its tail pointing well toward the south, he arose and set about building a fire.
unceremoniouslyadverbUS /ˌʌnserəˈmoʊniəsli/
in an unceremonious manner
From this reading However after much patient coaxing the mass was at last got into a blaze, and, unceremoniously awakening his assistant with a dexterous kick, he proceeded to prepare breakfast.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Glancing up at that celestial clock—the North Guards—and finding its tail pointing well toward the south, he arose and set about building a fire.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Still it was with a grunt of disgust that he threw back his blankets next morning, for a heavy rime was falling and everything appeared white and cold to his gaze.
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading Glancing up at that celestial clock—the North Guards—and finding its tail pointing well toward the south, he arose and set about building a fire.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading But the kindlings were coated with rime and he experienced much difficulty in persuading them to ignite.
a Caucasian
From this reading Still it was with a grunt of disgust that he threw back his blankets next morning, for a heavy rime was falling and everything appeared white and cold to his gaze.
air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure
From this reading Contrast to Delgezie’s fears the wind played no pranks with them that night, but after coquetting around all points of the compass, suddenly died out altogether.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Contrast to Delgezie’s fears the wind played no pranks with them that night, but after coquetting around all points of the compass, suddenly died out altogether.
