used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading [Sidenote: _No matter what the future, one factor must always be reckoned with--the ingenuity of the human animal._] The two men attacked the thick tree trunk with a weary savagery.
alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/
following the length of something from one end toward the other
From this reading Turning his broad, tanned face to glance along the patched and cracked concrete to where squat Vito kept watch, he caught the latter's eye and beckoned.
alternatelyadverbUS /ˈɔːltərnətli/
in an alternating sequence or position
From this reading In the bright sunlight, glistening spatters of sweat flew from them as the old axes bit alternately into the wood.
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading [Sidenote: _No matter what the future, one factor must always be reckoned with--the ingenuity of the human animal._] The two men attacked the thick tree trunk with a weary savagery.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Turning his broad, tanned face to glance along the patched and cracked concrete to where squat Vito kept watch, he caught the latter's eye and beckoned.
a living organism characterized by voluntary movement
From this reading [Sidenote: _No matter what the future, one factor must always be reckoned with--the ingenuity of the human animal._] The two men attacked the thick tree trunk with a weary savagery.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading In the bright sunlight, glistening spatters of sweat flew from them as the old axes bit alternately into the wood.
attackedverbUS /əˈtækt/
past form of “attack” — launch an attack or assault on; begin hostilities or start warfare with
From this reading [Sidenote: _No matter what the future, one factor must always be reckoned with--the ingenuity of the human animal._] The two men attacked the thick tree trunk with a weary savagery.
axesnounUS /ˈæksɪz/
plural of “ax” — an edge tool with a heavy bladed head mounted across a handle
From this reading In the bright sunlight, glistening spatters of sweat flew from them as the old axes bit alternately into the wood.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading [Sidenote: _No matter what the future, one factor must always be reckoned with--the ingenuity of the human animal._] The two men attacked the thick tree trunk with a weary savagery.
the hair growing on the lower part of a man's face
From this reading Blackie stood nearby, on the gravel shoulder of the highway, rubbing his short beard as he considered the depth of the white notch.
beckonedverbUS /ˈbekənd/
past form of “beckon” — signal with the hands or nod
From this reading Turning his broad, tanned face to glance along the patched and cracked concrete to where squat Vito kept watch, he caught the latter's eye and beckoned.
a small piece or quantity of something
From this reading In the bright sunlight, glistening spatters of sweat flew from them as the old axes bit alternately into the wood.
Blackie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Blackie stood nearby, on the gravel shoulder of the highway, rubbing his short beard as he considered the depth of the white notch.
emitting or reflecting light readily or in large amounts
From this reading In the bright sunlight, glistening spatters of sweat flew from them as the old axes bit alternately into the wood.
having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other
From this reading Turning his broad, tanned face to glance along the patched and cracked concrete to where squat Vito kept watch, he caught the latter's eye and beckoned.
inflected form of “catch” — discover or come upon accidentally, suddenly, or unexpectedly; catch somebody doing something or in a certain state
From this reading Turning his broad, tanned face to glance along the patched and cracked concrete to where squat Vito kept watch, he caught the latter's eye and beckoned.
concreteadjectiveUS /kənˈkriːt/
capable of being perceived by the senses; not abstract or imaginary
From this reading Turning his broad, tanned face to glance along the patched and cracked concrete to where squat Vito kept watch, he caught the latter's eye and beckoned.
carefully weighed
From this reading Blackie stood nearby, on the gravel shoulder of the highway, rubbing his short beard as he considered the depth of the white notch.
crackedadjectiveUS /krækt/
used of skin roughened as a result of cold or exposure
From this reading Turning his broad, tanned face to glance along the patched and cracked concrete to where squat Vito kept watch, he caught the latter's eye and beckoned.
depthnounUS /depθ/
the extent downward or backward or inward
From this reading Blackie stood nearby, on the gravel shoulder of the highway, rubbing his short beard as he considered the depth of the white notch.
the organ of sight
From this reading Turning his broad, tanned face to glance along the patched and cracked concrete to where squat Vito kept watch, he caught the latter's eye and beckoned.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading Turning his broad, tanned face to glance along the patched and cracked concrete to where squat Vito kept watch, he caught the latter's eye and beckoned.
factornounUS /ˈfæktər/
anything that contributes causally to a result
From this reading [Sidenote: _No matter what the future, one factor must always be reckoned with--the ingenuity of the human animal._] The two men attacked the thick tree trunk with a weary savagery.
inflected form of “fly” — travel through the air; be airborne
From this reading In the bright sunlight, glistening spatters of sweat flew from them as the old axes bit alternately into the wood.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading In the bright sunlight, glistening spatters of sweat flew from them as the old axes bit alternately into the wood.
yet to be or coming
From this reading [Sidenote: _No matter what the future, one factor must always be reckoned with--the ingenuity of the human animal._] The two men attacked the thick tree trunk with a weary savagery.
throw a glance at; take a brief look at
From this reading Turning his broad, tanned face to glance along the patched and cracked concrete to where squat Vito kept watch, he caught the latter's eye and beckoned.
glisteningadjectiveUS /ˈɡlɪsənɪŋ/
reflecting light
From this reading In the bright sunlight, glistening spatters of sweat flew from them as the old axes bit alternately into the wood.
gravelnounUS /ˈɡrævəl/
rock fragments and pebbles
From this reading Blackie stood nearby, on the gravel shoulder of the highway, rubbing his short beard as he considered the depth of the white notch.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Blackie stood nearby, on the gravel shoulder of the highway, rubbing his short beard as he considered the depth of the white notch.
highwaynounUS /ˈhaɪweɪ/
a major road for any form of motor transport
From this reading Blackie stood nearby, on the gravel shoulder of the highway, rubbing his short beard as he considered the depth of the white notch.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Blackie stood nearby, on the gravel shoulder of the highway, rubbing his short beard as he considered the depth of the white notch.
humanadjectiveUS /ˈhjuːmən/
characteristic of humanity
From this reading [Sidenote: _No matter what the future, one factor must always be reckoned with--the ingenuity of the human animal._] The two men attacked the thick tree trunk with a weary savagery.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading In the bright sunlight, glistening spatters of sweat flew from them as the old axes bit alternately into the wood.
ingenuitynounUS /ˌɪndʒəˈnuːətiː/
the power of creative imagination
From this reading [Sidenote: _No matter what the future, one factor must always be reckoned with--the ingenuity of the human animal._] The two men attacked the thick tree trunk with a weary savagery.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading In the bright sunlight, glistening spatters of sweat flew from them as the old axes bit alternately into the wood.
(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded
From this reading Turning his broad, tanned face to glance along the patched and cracked concrete to where squat Vito kept watch, he caught the latter's eye and beckoned.
latter'snounUS /ˈlætərz/
possessive form of “latter” — the second of two or the second mentioned of two
From this reading Turning his broad, tanned face to glance along the patched and cracked concrete to where squat Vito kept watch, he caught the latter's eye and beckoned.
a vaguely specified concern
From this reading [Sidenote: _No matter what the future, one factor must always be reckoned with--the ingenuity of the human animal._] The two men attacked the thick tree trunk with a weary savagery.
the force of workers available
From this reading [Sidenote: _No matter what the future, one factor must always be reckoned with--the ingenuity of the human animal._] The two men attacked the thick tree trunk with a weary savagery.
MikenounUS /maɪk/
device for converting sound waves into electrical energy
From this reading "Okay, Sid--Mike.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading [Sidenote: _No matter what the future, one factor must always be reckoned with--the ingenuity of the human animal._] The two men attacked the thick tree trunk with a weary savagery.
nearbyadjectiveUS /ˈnɪrˈbaɪ/
close at hand
From this reading Blackie stood nearby, on the gravel shoulder of the highway, rubbing his short beard as he considered the depth of the white notch.
not any; not one
From this reading [Sidenote: _No matter what the future, one factor must always be reckoned with--the ingenuity of the human animal._] The two men attacked the thick tree trunk with a weary savagery.
notchnounUS /nɑːtʃ/
a V-shaped indentation
From this reading Blackie stood nearby, on the gravel shoulder of the highway, rubbing his short beard as he considered the depth of the white notch.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading [Sidenote: _No matter what the future, one factor must always be reckoned with--the ingenuity of the human animal._] The two men attacked the thick tree trunk with a weary savagery.
OkayadjectiveUS /ˌoʊˈkeɪ/
being satisfactory or in satisfactory condition
From this reading "Okay, Sid--Mike.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading In the bright sunlight, glistening spatters of sweat flew from them as the old axes bit alternately into the wood.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Blackie stood nearby, on the gravel shoulder of the highway, rubbing his short beard as he considered the depth of the white notch.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading [Sidenote: _No matter what the future, one factor must always be reckoned with--the ingenuity of the human animal._] The two men attacked the thick tree trunk with a weary savagery.
patchedadjectiveUS /pætʃt/
mended usually clumsily by covering a hole with a patch
From this reading Turning his broad, tanned face to glance along the patched and cracked concrete to where squat Vito kept watch, he caught the latter's eye and beckoned.
reckonedverbUS /ˈrekənd/
past form of “reckon” — expect, believe, or suppose
From this reading [Sidenote: _No matter what the future, one factor must always be reckoned with--the ingenuity of the human animal._] The two men attacked the thick tree trunk with a weary savagery.
rubbingnounUS /ˈrʌbɪŋ/
the resistance encountered when one body is moved in contact with another
From this reading Blackie stood nearby, on the gravel shoulder of the highway, rubbing his short beard as he considered the depth of the white notch.
savagerynounUS /ˈsævɪdʒeri/
the property of being untamed and ferocious
From this reading [Sidenote: _No matter what the future, one factor must always be reckoned with--the ingenuity of the human animal._] The two men attacked the thick tree trunk with a weary savagery.
primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration
From this reading Blackie stood nearby, on the gravel shoulder of the highway, rubbing his short beard as he considered the depth of the white notch.
lift onto one's shoulders
From this reading Blackie stood nearby, on the gravel shoulder of the highway, rubbing his short beard as he considered the depth of the white notch.
Sid
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Okay, Sid--Mike.
Sidenote
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading [Sidenote: _No matter what the future, one factor must always be reckoned with--the ingenuity of the human animal._] The two men attacked the thick tree trunk with a weary savagery.
spattersnounUS /ˈspætərz/
plural of “spatter” — the noise of something spattering or sputtering explosively
From this reading In the bright sunlight, glistening spatters of sweat flew from them as the old axes bit alternately into the wood.
squatverbUS /skwɑːt/
sit on one's heels
From this reading Turning his broad, tanned face to glance along the patched and cracked concrete to where squat Vito kept watch, he caught the latter's eye and beckoned.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading Blackie stood nearby, on the gravel shoulder of the highway, rubbing his short beard as he considered the depth of the white notch.
the rays of the sun
From this reading In the bright sunlight, glistening spatters of sweat flew from them as the old axes bit alternately into the wood.
sweatnounUS /swet/
salty fluid secreted by sweat glands
From this reading In the bright sunlight, glistening spatters of sweat flew from them as the old axes bit alternately into the wood.
tannedadjectiveUS /tænd/
(of skin) having a tan color from exposure to the sun
From this reading Turning his broad, tanned face to glance along the patched and cracked concrete to where squat Vito kept watch, he caught the latter's eye and beckoned.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading [Sidenote: _No matter what the future, one factor must always be reckoned with--the ingenuity of the human animal._] The two men attacked the thick tree trunk with a weary savagery.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading In the bright sunlight, glistening spatters of sweat flew from them as the old axes bit alternately into the wood.
not thin; of a specific thickness or of relatively great extent from one surface to the opposite usually in the smallest of the three solid dimensions
From this reading [Sidenote: _No matter what the future, one factor must always be reckoned with--the ingenuity of the human animal._] The two men attacked the thick tree trunk with a weary savagery.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Turning his broad, tanned face to glance along the patched and cracked concrete to where squat Vito kept watch, he caught the latter's eye and beckoned.
a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms
From this reading [Sidenote: _No matter what the future, one factor must always be reckoned with--the ingenuity of the human animal._] The two men attacked the thick tree trunk with a weary savagery.
the main stem of a tree; usually covered with bark; the bole is usually the part that is commercially useful for lumber
From this reading [Sidenote: _No matter what the future, one factor must always be reckoned with--the ingenuity of the human animal._] The two men attacked the thick tree trunk with a weary savagery.
the act of changing or reversing the direction of the course
From this reading Turning his broad, tanned face to glance along the patched and cracked concrete to where squat Vito kept watch, he caught the latter's eye and beckoned.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading [Sidenote: _No matter what the future, one factor must always be reckoned with--the ingenuity of the human animal._] The two men attacked the thick tree trunk with a weary savagery.
Vito
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Turning his broad, tanned face to glance along the patched and cracked concrete to where squat Vito kept watch, he caught the latter's eye and beckoned.
look attentively
From this reading Turning his broad, tanned face to glance along the patched and cracked concrete to where squat Vito kept watch, he caught the latter's eye and beckoned.
exhaust or get tired through overuse or great strain or stress
From this reading [Sidenote: _No matter what the future, one factor must always be reckoned with--the ingenuity of the human animal._] The two men attacked the thick tree trunk with a weary savagery.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading [Sidenote: _No matter what the future, one factor must always be reckoned with--the ingenuity of the human animal._] The two men attacked the thick tree trunk with a weary savagery.
in or at the place that
From this reading Turning his broad, tanned face to glance along the patched and cracked concrete to where squat Vito kept watch, he caught the latter's eye and beckoned.
a Caucasian
From this reading Blackie stood nearby, on the gravel shoulder of the highway, rubbing his short beard as he considered the depth of the white notch.
in the company of; together with
From this reading [Sidenote: _No matter what the future, one factor must always be reckoned with--the ingenuity of the human animal._] The two men attacked the thick tree trunk with a weary savagery.
the hard fibrous lignified substance under the bark of trees
From this reading In the bright sunlight, glistening spatters of sweat flew from them as the old axes bit alternately into the wood.
