used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading After supper the following evening Bill slipped from the house and ambled through the woods to the lake border, where a young moon, cradled above the western ridge, sent its shafts of silver light across the darkened waters.
aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading After supper the following evening Bill slipped from the house and ambled through the woods to the lake border, where a young moon, cradled above the western ridge, sent its shafts of silver light across the darkened waters.
absentlyadverb
in an absentminded or preoccupied manner
From this reading He settled down on the trunk of a fallen tree and absently rolled himself a cigarette.
from one side of something to the other
From this reading After supper the following evening Bill slipped from the house and ambled through the woods to the lake border, where a young moon, cradled above the western ridge, sent its shafts of silver light across the darkened waters.
AfterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading After supper the following evening Bill slipped from the house and ambled through the woods to the lake border, where a young moon, cradled above the western ridge, sent its shafts of silver light across the darkened waters.
aloneadjectiveUS /əˈloʊn/
Having no one else present.
From this reading It was evident that Bill Jones wanted to be alone.
ambledverbUS /ˈæmbəld/
past form of “amble” — walk leisurely
From this reading After supper the following evening Bill slipped from the house and ambled through the woods to the lake border, where a young moon, cradled above the western ridge, sent its shafts of silver light across the darkened waters.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading After supper the following evening Bill slipped from the house and ambled through the woods to the lake border, where a young moon, cradled above the western ridge, sent its shafts of silver light across the darkened waters.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading It was deserted, but a little way back, on the woodland path, he observed two people strolling in the dim shadows of the pines and cedars.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading It was evident that Bill Jones wanted to be alone.
a statute in draft before it becomes law
From this reading After supper the following evening Bill slipped from the house and ambled through the woods to the lake border, where a young moon, cradled above the western ridge, sent its shafts of silver light across the darkened waters.
bordernounUS /ˈbɔːrdər/
a line that indicates a boundary
From this reading After supper the following evening Bill slipped from the house and ambled through the woods to the lake border, where a young moon, cradled above the western ridge, sent its shafts of silver light across the darkened waters.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading It was deserted, but a little way back, on the woodland path, he observed two people strolling in the dim shadows of the pines and cedars.
cedarsnounUS /ˈsiːdərz/
plural of “cedar” — any of numerous trees of the family Cupressaceae that resemble cedars
From this reading It was deserted, but a little way back, on the woodland path, he observed two people strolling in the dim shadows of the pines and cedars.
cigarettenounUS /ˌsɪɡərˈet/
finely ground tobacco wrapped in paper; for smoking
From this reading He settled down on the trunk of a fallen tree and absently rolled himself a cigarette.
cradled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After supper the following evening Bill slipped from the house and ambled through the woods to the lake border, where a young moon, cradled above the western ridge, sent its shafts of silver light across the darkened waters.
darkenedadjectiveUS /ˈdɑːrkənd/
(of fabrics and paper) grown dark in color over time
From this reading After supper the following evening Bill slipped from the house and ambled through the woods to the lake border, where a young moon, cradled above the western ridge, sent its shafts of silver light across the darkened waters.
forsaken by owner or inhabitants
From this reading It was deserted, but a little way back, on the woodland path, he observed two people strolling in the dim shadows of the pines and cedars.
lacking in light; not bright or harsh
From this reading It was deserted, but a little way back, on the woodland path, he observed two people strolling in the dim shadows of the pines and cedars.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading He settled down on the trunk of a fallen tree and absently rolled himself a cigarette.
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading After supper the following evening Bill slipped from the house and ambled through the woods to the lake border, where a young moon, cradled above the western ridge, sent its shafts of silver light across the darkened waters.
clearly revealed to the mind or the senses or judgment
From this reading It was evident that Bill Jones wanted to be alone.
having dropped by the force of gravity
From this reading He settled down on the trunk of a fallen tree and absently rolled himself a cigarette.
about to be mentioned or specified
From this reading After supper the following evening Bill slipped from the house and ambled through the woods to the lake border, where a young moon, cradled above the western ridge, sent its shafts of silver light across the darkened waters.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading After supper the following evening Bill slipped from the house and ambled through the woods to the lake border, where a young moon, cradled above the western ridge, sent its shafts of silver light across the darkened waters.
past form of “glance” — throw a glance at; take a brief look at
From this reading When it was satisfactorily lighted he glanced down the shore.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He settled down on the trunk of a fallen tree and absently rolled himself a cigarette.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading He settled down on the trunk of a fallen tree and absently rolled himself a cigarette.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading After supper the following evening Bill slipped from the house and ambled through the woods to the lake border, where a young moon, cradled above the western ridge, sent its shafts of silver light across the darkened waters.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading It was deserted, but a little way back, on the woodland path, he observed two people strolling in the dim shadows of the pines and cedars.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was evident that Bill Jones wanted to be alone.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading After supper the following evening Bill slipped from the house and ambled through the woods to the lake border, where a young moon, cradled above the western ridge, sent its shafts of silver light across the darkened waters.
United States labor leader (born in Ireland) who helped to found the Industrial Workers of the World (1830-1930)
From this reading It was evident that Bill Jones wanted to be alone.
a body of (usually fresh) water surrounded by land
From this reading After supper the following evening Bill slipped from the house and ambled through the woods to the lake border, where a young moon, cradled above the western ridge, sent its shafts of silver light across the darkened waters.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading After supper the following evening Bill slipped from the house and ambled through the woods to the lake border, where a young moon, cradled above the western ridge, sent its shafts of silver light across the darkened waters.
set afire or burning
From this reading When it was satisfactorily lighted he glanced down the shore.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading It was deserted, but a little way back, on the woodland path, he observed two people strolling in the dim shadows of the pines and cedars.
the natural satellite of the Earth
From this reading After supper the following evening Bill slipped from the house and ambled through the woods to the lake border, where a young moon, cradled above the western ridge, sent its shafts of silver light across the darkened waters.
discovered or determined by scientific observation
From this reading It was deserted, but a little way back, on the woodland path, he observed two people strolling in the dim shadows of the pines and cedars.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading After supper the following evening Bill slipped from the house and ambled through the woods to the lake border, where a young moon, cradled above the western ridge, sent its shafts of silver light across the darkened waters.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading He settled down on the trunk of a fallen tree and absently rolled himself a cigarette.
a course of conduct
From this reading It was deserted, but a little way back, on the woodland path, he observed two people strolling in the dim shadows of the pines and cedars.
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading It was deserted, but a little way back, on the woodland path, he observed two people strolling in the dim shadows of the pines and cedars.
pinesnounUS /paɪnz/
plural of “pine” — a coniferous tree
From this reading It was deserted, but a little way back, on the woodland path, he observed two people strolling in the dim shadows of the pines and cedars.
ridgenounUS /rɪdʒ/
a long narrow natural elevation or striation
From this reading After supper the following evening Bill slipped from the house and ambled through the woods to the lake border, where a young moon, cradled above the western ridge, sent its shafts of silver light across the darkened waters.
especially of petals or leaves in bud; having margins rolled inward
From this reading He settled down on the trunk of a fallen tree and absently rolled himself a cigarette.
satisfactorilyadverbUS /ˌsætɪˈsfæktrəli/
in a satisfactory manner
From this reading When it was satisfactorily lighted he glanced down the shore.
100 senti equal 1 kroon in Estonia
From this reading After supper the following evening Bill slipped from the house and ambled through the woods to the lake border, where a young moon, cradled above the western ridge, sent its shafts of silver light across the darkened waters.
established or decided beyond dispute or doubt
From this reading He settled down on the trunk of a fallen tree and absently rolled himself a cigarette.
plural of “shadow” — shade within clear boundaries
From this reading It was deserted, but a little way back, on the woodland path, he observed two people strolling in the dim shadows of the pines and cedars.
shaftsnounUS /ʃæfts/
plural of “shaft” — a line that forms the length of an arrow pointer
From this reading After supper the following evening Bill slipped from the house and ambled through the woods to the lake border, where a young moon, cradled above the western ridge, sent its shafts of silver light across the darkened waters.
the land along the edge of a body of water
From this reading When it was satisfactorily lighted he glanced down the shore.
a soft white precious univalent metallic element having the highest electrical and thermal conductivity of any metal; occurs in argentite and in free form; used in coins and jewelry and tableware and photography
From this reading After supper the following evening Bill slipped from the house and ambled through the woods to the lake border, where a young moon, cradled above the western ridge, sent its shafts of silver light across the darkened waters.
inflected form of “slip” — move stealthily
From this reading After supper the following evening Bill slipped from the house and ambled through the woods to the lake border, where a young moon, cradled above the western ridge, sent its shafts of silver light across the darkened waters.
strollingverbUS /ˈstroʊlɪŋ/
-ing form of “stroll” — walk leisurely and with no apparent aim
From this reading It was deserted, but a little way back, on the woodland path, he observed two people strolling in the dim shadows of the pines and cedars.
a light evening meal; served in early evening if dinner is at midday or served late in the evening at bedtime
From this reading After supper the following evening Bill slipped from the house and ambled through the woods to the lake border, where a young moon, cradled above the western ridge, sent its shafts of silver light across the darkened waters.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It was evident that Bill Jones wanted to be alone.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading After supper the following evening Bill slipped from the house and ambled through the woods to the lake border, where a young moon, cradled above the western ridge, sent its shafts of silver light across the darkened waters.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading After supper the following evening Bill slipped from the house and ambled through the woods to the lake border, where a young moon, cradled above the western ridge, sent its shafts of silver light across the darkened waters.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading After supper the following evening Bill slipped from the house and ambled through the woods to the lake border, where a young moon, cradled above the western ridge, sent its shafts of silver light across the darkened waters.
a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms
From this reading He settled down on the trunk of a fallen tree and absently rolled himself a cigarette.
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 He settled down on the trunk of a fallen tree and absently rolled himself a cigarette.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading It was deserted, but a little way back, on the woodland path, he observed two people strolling in the dim shadows of the pines and cedars.
desired or wished for or sought
From this reading It was evident that Bill Jones wanted to be alone.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was evident that Bill Jones wanted to be alone.
United States actress and singer (1896-1977)
From this reading After supper the following evening Bill slipped from the house and ambled through the woods to the lake border, where a young moon, cradled above the western ridge, sent its shafts of silver light across the darkened waters.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading It was deserted, but a little way back, on the woodland path, he observed two people strolling in the dim shadows of the pines and cedars.
relating to or characteristic of the western parts of the world or the West as opposed to the eastern or oriental parts
From this reading After supper the following evening Bill slipped from the house and ambled through the woods to the lake border, where a young moon, cradled above the western ridge, sent its shafts of silver light across the darkened waters.
at the time that
From this reading When it was satisfactorily lighted he glanced down the shore.
in or at the place that
From this reading After supper the following evening Bill slipped from the house and ambled through the woods to the lake border, where a young moon, cradled above the western ridge, sent its shafts of silver light across the darkened waters.
woodlandnounUS /ˈwʊdlænd/
land that is covered with trees and shrubs
From this reading It was deserted, but a little way back, on the woodland path, he observed two people strolling in the dim shadows of the pines and cedars.
the trees and other plants in a large densely wooded area
From this reading After supper the following evening Bill slipped from the house and ambled through the woods to the lake border, where a young moon, cradled above the western ridge, sent its shafts of silver light across the darkened waters.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading After supper the following evening Bill slipped from the house and ambled through the woods to the lake border, where a young moon, cradled above the western ridge, sent its shafts of silver light across the darkened waters.
