used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A DOUBLE SURPRISE.
move forward, also in the metaphorical sense
From this reading Through the blinding smother of great, soft-falling snowflakes he had heard rather than seen the advance of a dog train toiling up the rising ground upon which the post was situated.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading The storm-laden air choked the first cry of the watchman, preventing it from reaching the clogged ears of the approaching party.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading It came, he thought, as a Nor'west train would come, making no unnecessary clamor, but without any precautions for secrecy.
the event of one object coming closer to another
From this reading The storm-laden air choked the first cry of the watchman, preventing it from reaching the clogged ears of the approaching party.
Arrêtez
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "_Arrêtez!_" The sentinel's challenge from the gates of Fort Brondel rang out sharply in the near-dawn.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading It came, he thought, as a Nor'west train would come, making no unnecessary clamor, but without any precautions for secrecy.
blindingadjectiveUS /ˈblaɪndɪŋ/
shining intensely
From this reading Through the blinding smother of great, soft-falling snowflakes he had heard rather than seen the advance of a dog train toiling up the rising ground upon which the post was situated.
Brondel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "_Arrêtez!_" The sentinel's challenge from the gates of Fort Brondel rang out sharply in the near-dawn.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading It came, he thought, as a Nor'west train would come, making no unnecessary clamor, but without any precautions for secrecy.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading It came, he thought, as a Nor'west train would come, making no unnecessary clamor, but without any precautions for secrecy.
challengeverbUS /ˈtʃæləndʒ/
take exception to
From this reading "_Arrêtez!_" The sentinel's challenge from the gates of Fort Brondel rang out sharply in the near-dawn.
chokedadjectiveUS /tʃoʊkt/
stopped up; clogged up
From this reading The storm-laden air choked the first cry of the watchman, preventing it from reaching the clogged ears of the approaching party.
clamorverbUS /ˈklæmər/
make loud demands
From this reading It came, he thought, as a Nor'west train would come, making no unnecessary clamor, but without any precautions for secrecy.
cloggedadjectiveUS /klɔːɡd/
thickened or coalesced in soft thick lumps (such as clogs or clots)
From this reading The storm-laden air choked the first cry of the watchman, preventing it from reaching the clogged ears of the approaching party.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading It came, he thought, as a Nor'west train would come, making no unnecessary clamor, but without any precautions for secrecy.
utter a sudden loud cry
From this reading The storm-laden air choked the first cry of the watchman, preventing it from reaching the clogged ears of the approaching party.
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 Through the blinding smother of great, soft-falling snowflakes he had heard rather than seen the advance of a dog train toiling up the rising ground upon which the post was situated.
increase twofold
From this reading A DOUBLE SURPRISE.
plural of “ear” — the sense organ for hearing and equilibrium
From this reading The storm-laden air choked the first cry of the watchman, preventing it from reaching the clogged ears of the approaching party.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading The storm-laden air choked the first cry of the watchman, preventing it from reaching the clogged ears of the approaching party.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading It came, he thought, as a Nor'west train would come, making no unnecessary clamor, but without any precautions for secrecy.
a fortified military post where troops are stationed
From this reading "_Arrêtez!_" The sentinel's challenge from the gates of Fort Brondel rang out sharply in the near-dawn.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading "_Arrêtez!_" The sentinel's challenge from the gates of Fort Brondel rang out sharply in the near-dawn.
United States computer entrepreneur whose software company made him the youngest multi-billionaire in the history of the United States (born in 1955)
From this reading "_Arrêtez!_" The sentinel's challenge from the gates of Fort Brondel rang out sharply in the near-dawn.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading Through the blinding smother of great, soft-falling snowflakes he had heard rather than seen the advance of a dog train toiling up the rising ground upon which the post was situated.
the solid part of the earth's surface
From this reading Through the blinding smother of great, soft-falling snowflakes he had heard rather than seen the advance of a dog train toiling up the rising ground upon which the post was situated.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Through the blinding smother of great, soft-falling snowflakes he had heard rather than seen the advance of a dog train toiling up the rising ground upon which the post was situated.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Through the blinding smother of great, soft-falling snowflakes he had heard rather than seen the advance of a dog train toiling up the rising ground upon which the post was situated.
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading Through the blinding smother of great, soft-falling snowflakes he had heard rather than seen the advance of a dog train toiling up the rising ground upon which the post was situated.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading "_Arrêtez!_" The sentinel's challenge from the gates of Fort Brondel rang out sharply in the near-dawn.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It came, he thought, as a Nor'west train would come, making no unnecessary clamor, but without any precautions for secrecy.
the act that results in something coming to be
From this reading It came, he thought, as a Nor'west train would come, making no unnecessary clamor, but without any precautions for secrecy.
near-dawn
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "_Arrêtez!_" The sentinel's challenge from the gates of Fort Brondel rang out sharply in the near-dawn.
not any; not one
From this reading It came, he thought, as a Nor'west train would come, making no unnecessary clamor, but without any precautions for secrecy.
Nor'west
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It came, he thought, as a Nor'west train would come, making no unnecessary clamor, but without any precautions for secrecy.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading "_Arrêtez!_" The sentinel's challenge from the gates of Fort Brondel rang out sharply in the near-dawn.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading "_Arrêtez!_" The sentinel's challenge from the gates of Fort Brondel rang out sharply in the near-dawn.
an organization to gain political power
From this reading The storm-laden air choked the first cry of the watchman, preventing it from reaching the clogged ears of the approaching party.
affix in a public place or for public notice
From this reading Through the blinding smother of great, soft-falling snowflakes he had heard rather than seen the advance of a dog train toiling up the rising ground upon which the post was situated.
precautionsnounUS /priˈkɔːʃənz/
plural of “precaution” — a precautionary measure warding off impending danger or damage or injury etc.
From this reading It came, he thought, as a Nor'west train would come, making no unnecessary clamor, but without any precautions for secrecy.
preventingverbUS /prɪˈventɪŋ/
-ing form of “prevent” — keep from happening or arising; make impossible
From this reading The storm-laden air choked the first cry of the watchman, preventing it from reaching the clogged ears of the approaching party.
inflected form of “ring” — sound loudly and sonorously
From this reading "_Arrêtez!_" The sentinel's challenge from the gates of Fort Brondel rang out sharply in the near-dawn.
on the contrary
From this reading Through the blinding smother of great, soft-falling snowflakes he had heard rather than seen the advance of a dog train toiling up the rising ground upon which the post was situated.
the act of physically reaching or thrusting out
From this reading The storm-laden air choked the first cry of the watchman, preventing it from reaching the clogged ears of the approaching party.
advancing or becoming higher or greater in degree or value or status
From this reading Through the blinding smother of great, soft-falling snowflakes he had heard rather than seen the advance of a dog train toiling up the rising ground upon which the post was situated.
secrecynounUS /ˈsiːkrəsi/
the trait of keeping things secret
From this reading It came, he thought, as a Nor'west train would come, making no unnecessary clamor, but without any precautions for secrecy.
inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading Through the blinding smother of great, soft-falling snowflakes he had heard rather than seen the advance of a dog train toiling up the rising ground upon which the post was situated.
sentinel's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "_Arrêtez!_" The sentinel's challenge from the gates of Fort Brondel rang out sharply in the near-dawn.
in an aggressive manner
From this reading "_Arrêtez!_" The sentinel's challenge from the gates of Fort Brondel rang out sharply in the near-dawn.
situatedadjectiveUS /ˈsɪtʃuːeɪtɪd/
situated in a particular spot or position
From this reading Through the blinding smother of great, soft-falling snowflakes he had heard rather than seen the advance of a dog train toiling up the rising ground upon which the post was situated.
smotherverbUS /ˈsmʌðər/
envelop completely
From this reading Through the blinding smother of great, soft-falling snowflakes he had heard rather than seen the advance of a dog train toiling up the rising ground upon which the post was situated.
snowflakesnounUS /ˈsnoʊfleɪks/
plural of “snowflake” — a crystal of snow
From this reading Through the blinding smother of great, soft-falling snowflakes he had heard rather than seen the advance of a dog train toiling up the rising ground upon which the post was situated.
soft-falling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Through the blinding smother of great, soft-falling snowflakes he had heard rather than seen the advance of a dog train toiling up the rising ground upon which the post was situated.
storm-laden
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The storm-laden air choked the first cry of the watchman, preventing it from reaching the clogged ears of the approaching party.
the astonishment you feel when something totally unexpected happens to you
From this reading A DOUBLE SURPRISE.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Through the blinding smother of great, soft-falling snowflakes he had heard rather than seen the advance of a dog train toiling up the rising ground upon which the post was situated.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading "_Arrêtez!_" The sentinel's challenge from the gates of Fort Brondel rang out sharply in the near-dawn.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading It came, he thought, as a Nor'west train would come, making no unnecessary clamor, but without any precautions for secrecy.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading Through the blinding smother of great, soft-falling snowflakes he had heard rather than seen the advance of a dog train toiling up the rising ground upon which the post was situated.
toilingadjectiveUS /ˈtɔɪlɪŋ/
doing arduous or unpleasant work
From this reading Through the blinding smother of great, soft-falling snowflakes he had heard rather than seen the advance of a dog train toiling up the rising ground upon which the post was situated.
create by training and teaching
From this reading Through the blinding smother of great, soft-falling snowflakes he had heard rather than seen the advance of a dog train toiling up the rising ground upon which the post was situated.
unnecessaryadjectiveUS /ənˈnesəseri/
not necessary
From this reading It came, he thought, as a Nor'west train would come, making no unnecessary clamor, but without any precautions for secrecy.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Through the blinding smother of great, soft-falling snowflakes he had heard rather than seen the advance of a dog train toiling up the rising ground upon which the post was situated.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Through the blinding smother of great, soft-falling snowflakes he had heard rather than seen the advance of a dog train toiling up the rising ground upon which the post was situated.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Through the blinding smother of great, soft-falling snowflakes he had heard rather than seen the advance of a dog train toiling up the rising ground upon which the post was situated.
watchmannounUS /ˈwɑːtʃmən/
a guard who keeps watch
From this reading The storm-laden air choked the first cry of the watchman, preventing it from reaching the clogged ears of the approaching party.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Through the blinding smother of great, soft-falling snowflakes he had heard rather than seen the advance of a dog train toiling up the rising ground upon which the post was situated.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading It came, he thought, as a Nor'west train would come, making no unnecessary clamor, but without any precautions for secrecy.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading It came, he thought, as a Nor'west train would come, making no unnecessary clamor, but without any precautions for secrecy.
