used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading He saw Neb drop down before the blazing fireplace, and curl up like a tired dog, and observed her take the lamp, open the door into the other room a trifle, and slip silently out of sight.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading He remembered staring vaguely about the little room, still illumined by the flames, only half comprehending, and then the reaction from his desperate struggle with the elements overcame all resolution, and he dropped his head forward on the table, and lost consciousness.
(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 He remembered staring vaguely about the little room, still illumined by the flames, only half comprehending, and then the reaction from his desperate struggle with the elements overcame all resolution, and he dropped his head forward on the table, and lost consciousness.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He saw Neb drop down before the blazing fireplace, and curl up like a tired dog, and observed her take the lamp, open the door into the other room a trifle, and slip silently out of sight.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading “You are from the South!” he exclaimed, as though it was a discovery.
arousedadjectiveUS /ərˈaʊzd/
aroused to action
From this reading Her hand upon his shoulder aroused him, startled into wakefulness, yet he scarcely realized the situation.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading “You are from the South!” he exclaimed, as though it was a discovery.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading He saw Neb drop down before the blazing fireplace, and curl up like a tired dog, and observed her take the lamp, open the door into the other room a trifle, and slip silently out of sight.
next to; at the side of
From this reading “I have placed food for the negro beside him,” she said quietly, and for the first time Keith detected the soft blur in her speech.
blazingadjectiveUS /ˈbleɪzɪŋ/
shining intensely
From this reading He saw Neb drop down before the blazing fireplace, and curl up like a tired dog, and observed her take the lamp, open the door into the other room a trifle, and slip silently out of sight.
blurverbUS /blɜːr/
become glassy; lose clear vision
From this reading “I have placed food for the negro beside him,” she said quietly, and for the first time Keith detected the soft blur in her speech.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading He remembered staring vaguely about the little room, still illumined by the flames, only half comprehending, and then the reaction from his desperate struggle with the elements overcame all resolution, and he dropped his head forward on the table, and lost consciousness.
comprehendingverbUS /ˌkɑːmprɪˈhendɪŋ/
-ing form of “comprehend” — get the meaning of something
From this reading He remembered staring vaguely about the little room, still illumined by the flames, only half comprehending, and then the reaction from his desperate struggle with the elements overcame all resolution, and he dropped his head forward on the table, and lost consciousness.
an alert cognitive state in which you are aware of yourself and your situation
From this reading He remembered staring vaguely about the little room, still illumined by the flames, only half comprehending, and then the reaction from his desperate struggle with the elements overcame all resolution, and he dropped his head forward on the table, and lost consciousness.
curlverbUS /kɜːrl/
form a curl, curve, or kink
From this reading He saw Neb drop down before the blazing fireplace, and curl up like a tired dog, and observed her take the lamp, open the door into the other room a trifle, and slip silently out of sight.
arising from or marked by despair or loss of hope
From this reading He remembered staring vaguely about the little room, still illumined by the flames, only half comprehending, and then the reaction from his desperate struggle with the elements overcame all resolution, and he dropped his head forward on the table, and lost consciousness.
detectedadjectiveUS /dɪˈtektəd/
perceived or discerned
From this reading “I have placed food for the negro beside him,” she said quietly, and for the first time Keith detected the soft blur in her speech.
the act of discovering something
From this reading “You are from the South!” he exclaimed, as though it was a discovery.
a member of the genus Canis (probably descended from the common wolf) that has been domesticated by man since prehistoric times; occurs in many breeds
From this reading He saw Neb drop down before the blazing fireplace, and curl up like a tired dog, and observed her take the lamp, open the door into the other room a trifle, and slip silently out of sight.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading He saw Neb drop down before the blazing fireplace, and curl up like a tired dog, and observed her take the lamp, open the door into the other room a trifle, and slip silently out of sight.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading He saw Neb drop down before the blazing fireplace, and curl up like a tired dog, and observed her take the lamp, open the door into the other room a trifle, and slip silently out of sight.
let fall to the ground
From this reading He saw Neb drop down before the blazing fireplace, and curl up like a tired dog, and observed her take the lamp, open the door into the other room a trifle, and slip silently out of sight.
inflected form of “drop” — let fall to the ground
From this reading He remembered staring vaguely about the little room, still illumined by the flames, only half comprehending, and then the reaction from his desperate struggle with the elements overcame all resolution, and he dropped his head forward on the table, and lost consciousness.
elementsnounUS /ˈeləmənts/
violent or severe weather (viewed as caused by the action of the four elements)
From this reading He remembered staring vaguely about the little room, still illumined by the flames, only half comprehending, and then the reaction from his desperate struggle with the elements overcame all resolution, and he dropped his head forward on the table, and lost consciousness.
past form of “exclaim” — utter aloud; often with surprise, horror, or joy
From this reading “You are from the South!” he exclaimed, as though it was a discovery.
fireplacenounUS /ˈfaɪərpleɪs/
an open recess in a wall at the base of a chimney where a fire can be built
From this reading He saw Neb drop down before the blazing fireplace, and curl up like a tired dog, and observed her take the lamp, open the door into the other room a trifle, and slip silently out of sight.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading “I have placed food for the negro beside him,” she said quietly, and for the first time Keith detected the soft blur in her speech.
flamesnounUS /fleɪmz/
plural of “flame” — the process of combustion of inflammable materials producing heat and light and (often) smoke
From this reading He remembered staring vaguely about the little room, still illumined by the flames, only half comprehending, and then the reaction from his desperate struggle with the elements overcame all resolution, and he dropped his head forward on the table, and lost consciousness.
any substance that can be metabolized by an animal to give energy and build tissue
From this reading “I have placed food for the negro beside him,” she said quietly, and for the first time Keith detected the soft blur in her speech.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading “I have placed food for the negro beside him,” she said quietly, and for the first time Keith detected the soft blur in her speech.
at or to or toward the front
From this reading He remembered staring vaguely about the little room, still illumined by the flames, only half comprehending, and then the reaction from his desperate struggle with the elements overcame all resolution, and he dropped his head forward on the table, and lost consciousness.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading He remembered staring vaguely about the little room, still illumined by the flames, only half comprehending, and then the reaction from his desperate struggle with the elements overcame all resolution, and he dropped his head forward on the table, and lost consciousness.
consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity
From this reading He remembered staring vaguely about the little room, still illumined by the flames, only half comprehending, and then the reaction from his desperate struggle with the elements overcame all resolution, and he dropped his head forward on the table, and lost consciousness.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading Her hand upon his shoulder aroused him, startled into wakefulness, yet he scarcely realized the situation.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading “I have placed food for the negro beside him,” she said quietly, and for the first time Keith detected the soft blur in her speech.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He saw Neb drop down before the blazing fireplace, and curl up like a tired dog, and observed her take the lamp, open the door into the other room a trifle, and slip silently out of sight.
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading He remembered staring vaguely about the little room, still illumined by the flames, only half comprehending, and then the reaction from his desperate struggle with the elements overcame all resolution, and he dropped his head forward on the table, and lost consciousness.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading He saw Neb drop down before the blazing fireplace, and curl up like a tired dog, and observed her take the lamp, open the door into the other room a trifle, and slip silently out of sight.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Her hand upon his shoulder aroused him, startled into wakefulness, yet he scarcely realized the situation.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He remembered staring vaguely about the little room, still illumined by the flames, only half comprehending, and then the reaction from his desperate struggle with the elements overcame all resolution, and he dropped his head forward on the table, and lost consciousness.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading “I have placed food for the negro beside him,” she said quietly, and for the first time Keith detected the soft blur in her speech.
illuminedverbUS /ˌɪˈluːmənd/
past form of “illumine” — make lighter or brighter
From this reading He remembered staring vaguely about the little room, still illumined by the flames, only half comprehending, and then the reaction from his desperate struggle with the elements overcame all resolution, and he dropped his head forward on the table, and lost consciousness.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading “I have placed food for the negro beside him,” she said quietly, and for the first time Keith detected the soft blur in her speech.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading He saw Neb drop down before the blazing fireplace, and curl up like a tired dog, and observed her take the lamp, open the door into the other room a trifle, and slip silently out of sight.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading “You are from the South!” he exclaimed, as though it was a discovery.
Keith
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I have placed food for the negro beside him,” she said quietly, and for the first time Keith detected the soft blur in her speech.
an artificial source of visible illumination
From this reading He saw Neb drop down before the blazing fireplace, and curl up like a tired dog, and observed her take the lamp, open the door into the other room a trifle, and slip silently out of sight.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading He saw Neb drop down before the blazing fireplace, and curl up like a tired dog, and observed her take the lamp, open the door into the other room a trifle, and slip silently out of sight.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading He remembered staring vaguely about the little room, still illumined by the flames, only half comprehending, and then the reaction from his desperate struggle with the elements overcame all resolution, and he dropped his head forward on the table, and lost consciousness.
no longer in your possession or control; unable to be found or recovered
From this reading He remembered staring vaguely about the little room, still illumined by the flames, only half comprehending, and then the reaction from his desperate struggle with the elements overcame all resolution, and he dropped his head forward on the table, and lost consciousness.
Nebnoun
a long projecting or anterior elongation of an animal's head; especially the nose
From this reading He saw Neb drop down before the blazing fireplace, and curl up like a tired dog, and observed her take the lamp, open the door into the other room a trifle, and slip silently out of sight.
negronounUS /ˈniːɡroʊ/
a person with African ancestry, "Negro" and "Negroid" are archaic and pejorative today
From this reading “I have placed food for the negro beside him,” she said quietly, and for the first time Keith detected the soft blur in her speech.
discovered or determined by scientific observation
From this reading He saw Neb drop down before the blazing fireplace, and curl up like a tired dog, and observed her take the lamp, open the door into the other room a trifle, and slip silently out of sight.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading He saw Neb drop down before the blazing fireplace, and curl up like a tired dog, and observed her take the lamp, open the door into the other room a trifle, and slip silently out of sight.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading He remembered staring vaguely about the little room, still illumined by the flames, only half comprehending, and then the reaction from his desperate struggle with the elements overcame all resolution, and he dropped his head forward on the table, and lost consciousness.
and nothing more
From this reading He remembered staring vaguely about the little room, still illumined by the flames, only half comprehending, and then the reaction from his desperate struggle with the elements overcame all resolution, and he dropped his head forward on the table, and lost consciousness.
To move from a closed position.
From this reading He saw Neb drop down before the blazing fireplace, and curl up like a tired dog, and observed her take the lamp, open the door into the other room a trifle, and slip silently out of sight.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading He saw Neb drop down before the blazing fireplace, and curl up like a tired dog, and observed her take the lamp, open the door into the other room a trifle, and slip silently out of sight.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading He saw Neb drop down before the blazing fireplace, and curl up like a tired dog, and observed her take the lamp, open the door into the other room a trifle, and slip silently out of sight.
overcameverbUS /ˈoʊvərˈkeɪm/
inflected form of “overcome” — win a victory over
From this reading He remembered staring vaguely about the little room, still illumined by the flames, only half comprehending, and then the reaction from his desperate struggle with the elements overcame all resolution, and he dropped his head forward on the table, and lost consciousness.
situated in a particular spot or position
From this reading “I have placed food for the negro beside him,” she said quietly, and for the first time Keith detected the soft blur in her speech.
with low volume
From this reading “I have placed food for the negro beside him,” she said quietly, and for the first time Keith detected the soft blur in her speech.
reactionnounUS /riˈækʃən/
(chemistry) a process in which one or more substances are changed into others
From this reading He remembered staring vaguely about the little room, still illumined by the flames, only half comprehending, and then the reaction from his desperate struggle with the elements overcame all resolution, and he dropped his head forward on the table, and lost consciousness.
successfully completed or brought to an end
From this reading Her hand upon his shoulder aroused him, startled into wakefulness, yet he scarcely realized the situation.
past form of “remember” — recall knowledge from memory; have a recollection
From this reading He remembered staring vaguely about the little room, still illumined by the flames, only half comprehending, and then the reaction from his desperate struggle with the elements overcame all resolution, and he dropped his head forward on the table, and lost consciousness.
a formal expression by a meeting; agreed to by a vote
From this reading He remembered staring vaguely about the little room, still illumined by the flames, only half comprehending, and then the reaction from his desperate struggle with the elements overcame all resolution, and he dropped his head forward on the table, and lost consciousness.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading He saw Neb drop down before the blazing fireplace, and curl up like a tired dog, and observed her take the lamp, open the door into the other room a trifle, and slip silently out of sight.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading “I have placed food for the negro beside him,” she said quietly, and for the first time Keith detected the soft blur in her speech.
cut with a saw
From this reading He saw Neb drop down before the blazing fireplace, and curl up like a tired dog, and observed her take the lamp, open the door into the other room a trifle, and slip silently out of sight.
only a very short time before
From this reading Her hand upon his shoulder aroused him, startled into wakefulness, yet he scarcely realized the situation.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading “I have placed food for the negro beside him,” she said quietly, and for the first time Keith detected the soft blur in her speech.
lift onto one's shoulders
From this reading Her hand upon his shoulder aroused him, startled into wakefulness, yet he scarcely realized the situation.
an instance of visual perception
From this reading He saw Neb drop down before the blazing fireplace, and curl up like a tired dog, and observed her take the lamp, open the door into the other room a trifle, and slip silently out of sight.
without speaking
From this reading He saw Neb drop down before the blazing fireplace, and curl up like a tired dog, and observed her take the lamp, open the door into the other room a trifle, and slip silently out of sight.
the general state of things; the combination of circumstances at a given time
From this reading Her hand upon his shoulder aroused him, startled into wakefulness, yet he scarcely realized the situation.
move stealthily
From this reading He saw Neb drop down before the blazing fireplace, and curl up like a tired dog, and observed her take the lamp, open the door into the other room a trifle, and slip silently out of sight.
yielding readily to pressure or weight
From this reading “I have placed food for the negro beside him,” she said quietly, and for the first time Keith detected the soft blur in her speech.
the region of the United States lying to the south of the Mason-Dixon line
From this reading “You are from the South!” he exclaimed, as though it was a discovery.
the act of delivering a formal spoken communication to an audience
From this reading “I have placed food for the negro beside him,” she said quietly, and for the first time Keith detected the soft blur in her speech.
(used of eyes) open and fixed as if in fear or wonder
From this reading He remembered staring vaguely about the little room, still illumined by the flames, only half comprehending, and then the reaction from his desperate struggle with the elements overcame all resolution, and he dropped his head forward on the table, and lost consciousness.
excited by sudden surprise or alarm and making a quick involuntary movement
From this reading Her hand upon his shoulder aroused him, startled into wakefulness, yet he scarcely realized the situation.
not in physical motion
From this reading He remembered staring vaguely about the little room, still illumined by the flames, only half comprehending, and then the reaction from his desperate struggle with the elements overcame all resolution, and he dropped his head forward on the table, and lost consciousness.
make a strenuous or labored effort
From this reading He remembered staring vaguely about the little room, still illumined by the flames, only half comprehending, and then the reaction from his desperate struggle with the elements overcame all resolution, and he dropped his head forward on the table, and lost consciousness.
a set of data arranged in rows and columns
From this reading He remembered staring vaguely about the little room, still illumined by the flames, only half comprehending, and then the reaction from his desperate struggle with the elements overcame all resolution, and he dropped his head forward on the table, and lost consciousness.
carry out
From this reading He saw Neb drop down before the blazing fireplace, and curl up like a tired dog, and observed her take the lamp, open the door into the other room a trifle, and slip silently out of sight.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading He saw Neb drop down before the blazing fireplace, and curl up like a tired dog, and observed her take the lamp, open the door into the other room a trifle, and slip silently out of sight.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading He remembered staring vaguely about the little room, still illumined by the flames, only half comprehending, and then the reaction from his desperate struggle with the elements overcame all resolution, and he dropped his head forward on the table, and lost consciousness.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading “You are from the South!” he exclaimed, as though it was a discovery.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading “I have placed food for the negro beside him,” she said quietly, and for the first time Keith detected the soft blur in her speech.
tiredadjectiveUS /ˈtaɪərd/
depleted of strength or energy
From this reading He saw Neb drop down before the blazing fireplace, and curl up like a tired dog, and observed her take the lamp, open the door into the other room a trifle, and slip silently out of sight.
a cold pudding made of layers of sponge cake spread with fruit or jelly; may be decorated with nuts, cream, or chocolate
From this reading He saw Neb drop down before the blazing fireplace, and curl up like a tired dog, and observed her take the lamp, open the door into the other room a trifle, and slip silently out of sight.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading He saw Neb drop down before the blazing fireplace, and curl up like a tired dog, and observed her take the lamp, open the door into the other room a trifle, and slip silently out of sight.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Her hand upon his shoulder aroused him, startled into wakefulness, yet he scarcely realized the situation.
vaguelyadverbUS /ˈveɪɡli/
in a vague way
From this reading He remembered staring vaguely about the little room, still illumined by the flames, only half comprehending, and then the reaction from his desperate struggle with the elements overcame all resolution, and he dropped his head forward on the table, and lost consciousness.
wakefulnessnoun
a periodic state during which you are conscious and aware of the world
From this reading Her hand upon his shoulder aroused him, startled into wakefulness, yet he scarcely realized the situation.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading “You are from the South!” he exclaimed, as though it was a discovery.
in the company of; together with
From this reading He remembered staring vaguely about the little room, still illumined by the flames, only half comprehending, and then the reaction from his desperate struggle with the elements overcame all resolution, and he dropped his head forward on the table, and lost consciousness.
but in spite of that
From this reading Her hand upon his shoulder aroused him, startled into wakefulness, yet he scarcely realized the situation.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading “You are from the South!” he exclaimed, as though it was a discovery.
