used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A STRANGE MEETING.
from one side of something to the other
From this reading Across meadows, over ditches, and at last up rather a steep ascent wound the way to Widow Erikson's cottage.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Across meadows, over ditches, and at last up rather a steep ascent wound the way to Widow Erikson's cottage.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The path had grown rough and narrow, but the barefooted boy went over it as lightly and as unharmed as if he had been a happy bird.
ascentnounUS /əˈsent/
an upward slope or grade (as in a road)
From this reading Across meadows, over ditches, and at last up rather a steep ascent wound the way to Widow Erikson's cottage.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Across meadows, over ditches, and at last up rather a steep ascent wound the way to Widow Erikson's cottage.
barefootedadjective
without shoes
From this reading The path had grown rough and narrow, but the barefooted boy went over it as lightly and as unharmed as if he had been a happy bird.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The path had grown rough and narrow, but the barefooted boy went over it as lightly and as unharmed as if he had been a happy bird.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading The boots, however, of his companion seemed a tight fit for climbing, and at last a straggling bramble that crossed the way turned up two little black points, like doors, to show the way to the untanned leather behind the bright polish.
warm-blooded egg-laying vertebrates characterized by feathers and forelimbs modified as wings
From this reading The path had grown rough and narrow, but the barefooted boy went over it as lightly and as unharmed as if he had been a happy bird.
being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light
From this reading The boots, however, of his companion seemed a tight fit for climbing, and at last a straggling bramble that crossed the way turned up two little black points, like doors, to show the way to the untanned leather behind the bright polish.
plural of “boot” — footwear that covers the whole foot and lower leg
From this reading The boots, however, of his companion seemed a tight fit for climbing, and at last a straggling bramble that crossed the way turned up two little black points, like doors, to show the way to the untanned leather behind the bright polish.
a youthful male person
From this reading The path had grown rough and narrow, but the barefooted boy went over it as lightly and as unharmed as if he had been a happy bird.
bramblenounUS /ˈbræmbəl/
any of various rough thorny shrubs or vines
From this reading The boots, however, of his companion seemed a tight fit for climbing, and at last a straggling bramble that crossed the way turned up two little black points, like doors, to show the way to the untanned leather behind the bright polish.
emitting or reflecting light readily or in large amounts
From this reading The boots, however, of his companion seemed a tight fit for climbing, and at last a straggling bramble that crossed the way turned up two little black points, like doors, to show the way to the untanned leather behind the bright polish.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The path had grown rough and narrow, but the barefooted boy went over it as lightly and as unharmed as if he had been a happy bird.
climbingnounUS /ˈklaɪmɪŋ/
an event that involves rising to a higher point (as in altitude or temperature or intensity etc.)
From this reading The boots, however, of his companion seemed a tight fit for climbing, and at last a straggling bramble that crossed the way turned up two little black points, like doors, to show the way to the untanned leather behind the bright polish.
a friend who is frequently in the company of another
From this reading The boots, however, of his companion seemed a tight fit for climbing, and at last a straggling bramble that crossed the way turned up two little black points, like doors, to show the way to the untanned leather behind the bright polish.
a small house with a single story
From this reading Across meadows, over ditches, and at last up rather a steep ascent wound the way to Widow Erikson's cottage.
placed crosswise
From this reading The boots, however, of his companion seemed a tight fit for climbing, and at last a straggling bramble that crossed the way turned up two little black points, like doors, to show the way to the untanned leather behind the bright polish.
ditchesnounUS /ˈdɪtʃəz/
plural of “ditch” — a long narrow excavation in the earth
From this reading Across meadows, over ditches, and at last up rather a steep ascent wound the way to Widow Erikson's cottage.
having finished or arrived at completion
From this reading The traveller stopped, and smoothed them down in vain with her finger; the mischief was done.
plural of “door” — a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading The boots, however, of his companion seemed a tight fit for climbing, and at last a straggling bramble that crossed the way turned up two little black points, like doors, to show the way to the untanned leather behind the bright polish.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading The traveller stopped, and smoothed them down in vain with her finger; the mischief was done.
Erikson's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Across meadows, over ditches, and at last up rather a steep ascent wound the way to Widow Erikson's cottage.
feel or handle with the fingers
From this reading The traveller stopped, and smoothed them down in vain with her finger; the mischief was done.
be agreeable or acceptable to
From this reading The boots, however, of his companion seemed a tight fit for climbing, and at last a straggling bramble that crossed the way turned up two little black points, like doors, to show the way to the untanned leather behind the bright polish.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The boots, however, of his companion seemed a tight fit for climbing, and at last a straggling bramble that crossed the way turned up two little black points, like doors, to show the way to the untanned leather behind the bright polish.
(of animals) fully developed
From this reading The path had grown rough and narrow, but the barefooted boy went over it as lightly and as unharmed as if he had been a happy bird.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The path had grown rough and narrow, but the barefooted boy went over it as lightly and as unharmed as if he had been a happy bird.
enjoying or showing or marked by joy or pleasure
From this reading The path had grown rough and narrow, but the barefooted boy went over it as lightly and as unharmed as if he had been a happy bird.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The path had grown rough and narrow, but the barefooted boy went over it as lightly and as unharmed as if he had been a happy bird.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading The traveller stopped, and smoothed them down in vain with her finger; the mischief was done.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The boots, however, of his companion seemed a tight fit for climbing, and at last a straggling bramble that crossed the way turned up two little black points, like doors, to show the way to the untanned leather behind the bright polish.
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading The boots, however, of his companion seemed a tight fit for climbing, and at last a straggling bramble that crossed the way turned up two little black points, like doors, to show the way to the untanned leather behind the bright polish.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading The path had grown rough and narrow, but the barefooted boy went over it as lightly and as unharmed as if he had been a happy bird.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The traveller stopped, and smoothed them down in vain with her finger; the mischief was done.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The path had grown rough and narrow, but the barefooted boy went over it as lightly and as unharmed as if he had been a happy bird.
immediately past
From this reading Across meadows, over ditches, and at last up rather a steep ascent wound the way to Widow Erikson's cottage.
leathernounUS /ˈleðər/
an animal skin made smooth and flexible by removing the hair and then tanning
From this reading The boots, however, of his companion seemed a tight fit for climbing, and at last a straggling bramble that crossed the way turned up two little black points, like doors, to show the way to the untanned leather behind the bright polish.
without good reason
From this reading The path had grown rough and narrow, but the barefooted boy went over it as lightly and as unharmed as if he had been a happy bird.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading The boots, however, of his companion seemed a tight fit for climbing, and at last a straggling bramble that crossed the way turned up two little black points, like doors, to show the way to the untanned leather behind the bright polish.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading The boots, however, of his companion seemed a tight fit for climbing, and at last a straggling bramble that crossed the way turned up two little black points, like doors, to show the way to the untanned leather behind the bright polish.
meadowsnounUS /ˈmedoʊz/
plural of “meadow” — a field where grass or alfalfa are grown to be made into hay
From this reading Across meadows, over ditches, and at last up rather a steep ascent wound the way to Widow Erikson's cottage.
a formally arranged gathering
From this reading A STRANGE MEETING.
reckless or malicious behavior that causes discomfort or annoyance in others
From this reading The traveller stopped, and smoothed them down in vain with her finger; the mischief was done.
make or become more narrow or restricted
From this reading The path had grown rough and narrow, but the barefooted boy went over it as lightly and as unharmed as if he had been a happy bird.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The boots, however, of his companion seemed a tight fit for climbing, and at last a straggling bramble that crossed the way turned up two little black points, like doors, to show the way to the untanned leather behind the bright polish.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Across meadows, over ditches, and at last up rather a steep ascent wound the way to Widow Erikson's cottage.
a course of conduct
From this reading The path had grown rough and narrow, but the barefooted boy went over it as lightly and as unharmed as if he had been a happy bird.
plural of “point” — a geometric element that has position but no extension
From this reading The boots, however, of his companion seemed a tight fit for climbing, and at last a straggling bramble that crossed the way turned up two little black points, like doors, to show the way to the untanned leather behind the bright polish.
polishnounUS /ˈpɑːlɪʃ/
the property of being smooth and shiny
From this reading The boots, however, of his companion seemed a tight fit for climbing, and at last a straggling bramble that crossed the way turned up two little black points, like doors, to show the way to the untanned leather behind the bright polish.
on the contrary
From this reading Across meadows, over ditches, and at last up rather a steep ascent wound the way to Widow Erikson's cottage.
having or caused by an irregular surface
From this reading The path had grown rough and narrow, but the barefooted boy went over it as lightly and as unharmed as if he had been a happy bird.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading The boots, however, of his companion seemed a tight fit for climbing, and at last a straggling bramble that crossed the way turned up two little black points, like doors, to show the way to the untanned leather behind the bright polish.
give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading The boots, however, of his companion seemed a tight fit for climbing, and at last a straggling bramble that crossed the way turned up two little black points, like doors, to show the way to the untanned leather behind the bright polish.
smoothedadjectiveUS /smuːðd/
made smooth by ironing
From this reading The traveller stopped, and smoothed them down in vain with her finger; the mischief was done.
steepadjectiveUS /stiːp/
having a sharp inclination
From this reading Across meadows, over ditches, and at last up rather a steep ascent wound the way to Widow Erikson's cottage.
(of a nose) blocked
From this reading The traveller stopped, and smoothed them down in vain with her finger; the mischief was done.
stragglingadjective
spreading out in different directions or distributed irregularly
From this reading The boots, however, of his companion seemed a tight fit for climbing, and at last a straggling bramble that crossed the way turned up two little black points, like doors, to show the way to the untanned leather behind the bright polish.
being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird
From this reading A STRANGE MEETING.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The boots, however, of his companion seemed a tight fit for climbing, and at last a straggling bramble that crossed the way turned up two little black points, like doors, to show the way to the untanned leather behind the bright polish.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Across meadows, over ditches, and at last up rather a steep ascent wound the way to Widow Erikson's cottage.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading The traveller stopped, and smoothed them down in vain with her finger; the mischief was done.
tightadjectiveUS /taɪt/
closely constrained or constricted or constricting
From this reading The boots, however, of his companion seemed a tight fit for climbing, and at last a straggling bramble that crossed the way turned up two little black points, like doors, to show the way to the untanned leather behind the bright polish.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Across meadows, over ditches, and at last up rather a steep ascent wound the way to Widow Erikson's cottage.
travellernounUS /ˈtrævələr/
a person who changes location
From this reading The traveller stopped, and smoothed them down in vain with her finger; the mischief was done.
moved around an axis or center
From this reading The boots, however, of his companion seemed a tight fit for climbing, and at last a straggling bramble that crossed the way turned up two little black points, like doors, to show the way to the untanned leather behind the bright polish.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading The boots, however, of his companion seemed a tight fit for climbing, and at last a straggling bramble that crossed the way turned up two little black points, like doors, to show the way to the untanned leather behind the bright polish.
unharmedadjectiveUS /ənˈhɑːrmd/
not injured or harmed
From this reading The path had grown rough and narrow, but the barefooted boy went over it as lightly and as unharmed as if he had been a happy bird.
untannedadjective
not converted to leather by a tanning agent
From this reading The boots, however, of his companion seemed a tight fit for climbing, and at last a straggling bramble that crossed the way turned up two little black points, like doors, to show the way to the untanned leather behind the bright polish.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Across meadows, over ditches, and at last up rather a steep ascent wound the way to Widow Erikson's cottage.
characteristic of false pride; having an exaggerated sense of self-importance
From this reading The traveller stopped, and smoothed them down in vain with her finger; the mischief was done.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The traveller stopped, and smoothed them down in vain with her finger; the mischief was done.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading Across meadows, over ditches, and at last up rather a steep ascent wound the way to Widow Erikson's cottage.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading The path had grown rough and narrow, but the barefooted boy went over it as lightly and as unharmed as if he had been a happy bird.
a woman whose husband is dead especially one who has not remarried
From this reading Across meadows, over ditches, and at last up rather a steep ascent wound the way to Widow Erikson's cottage.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The traveller stopped, and smoothed them down in vain with her finger; the mischief was done.
an injury to living tissue (especially an injury involving a cut or break in the skin)
From this reading Across meadows, over ditches, and at last up rather a steep ascent wound the way to Widow Erikson's cottage.
