used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Gordon sat in the blind alone, and for so keen a sportsman the poor shooting seemed to trouble him but little.
aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading THE CRISIS The sun still hung an hour high above the horizon.
aloneadjectiveUS /əˈloʊn/
Having no one else present.
From this reading Gordon sat in the blind alone, and for so keen a sportsman the poor shooting seemed to trouble him but little.
alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/
following the length of something from one end toward the other
From this reading No faintest breath of wind was stirring, and the tall pines along the island's shore stood mirrored in the broad lake's placid calm.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading THE CRISIS The sun still hung an hour high above the horizon.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading No faintest breath of wind was stirring, and the tall pines along the island's shore stood mirrored in the broad lake's placid calm.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading On the contrary, his thoughts, which were of the pleasantest, had strayed far away from ducks and duck-shooting.
beddedadjectiveUS /ˈbedɪd/
deposited or arranged in horizontal layers
From this reading The wildfowl, true to their custom, were bedded in huge flocks far out towards the center of the lake, and what few ducks there were stirring, kept for the most part warily out of range of the point.
people who have severe visual impairments, considered as a group
From this reading Gordon sat in the blind alone, and for so keen a sportsman the poor shooting seemed to trouble him but little.
the process of taking in and expelling air during breathing
From this reading No faintest breath of wind was stirring, and the tall pines along the island's shore stood mirrored in the broad lake's placid calm.
having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other
From this reading No faintest breath of wind was stirring, and the tall pines along the island's shore stood mirrored in the broad lake's placid calm.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Gordon sat in the blind alone, and for so keen a sportsman the poor shooting seemed to trouble him but little.
make calm or still
From this reading No faintest breath of wind was stirring, and the tall pines along the island's shore stood mirrored in the broad lake's placid calm.
centernounUS /ˈsɛn.tər/
The middle point or core of an area.
From this reading The wildfowl, true to their custom, were bedded in huge flocks far out towards the center of the lake, and what few ducks there were stirring, kept for the most part warily out of range of the point.
very opposed in nature or character or purpose
From this reading On the contrary, his thoughts, which were of the pleasantest, had strayed far away from ducks and duck-shooting.
CRISISnounUS /ˈkraɪsəs/
an unstable situation of extreme danger or difficulty
From this reading THE CRISIS The sun still hung an hour high above the horizon.
accepted or habitual practice
From this reading The wildfowl, true to their custom, were bedded in huge flocks far out towards the center of the lake, and what few ducks there were stirring, kept for the most part warily out of range of the point.
duck-shooting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the contrary, his thoughts, which were of the pleasantest, had strayed far away from ducks and duck-shooting.
ducksnounUS /dʌks/
plural of “duck” — small wild or domesticated web-footed broad-billed swimming bird usually having a depressed body and short legs
From this reading The wildfowl, true to their custom, were bedded in huge flocks far out towards the center of the lake, and what few ducks there were stirring, kept for the most part warily out of range of the point.
faintestadjectiveUS /ˈfeɪntəst/
superlative of “faint” — deficient in magnitude; barely perceptible; lacking clarity or brightness or loudness etc
From this reading No faintest breath of wind was stirring, and the tall pines along the island's shore stood mirrored in the broad lake's placid calm.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading The wildfowl, true to their custom, were bedded in huge flocks far out towards the center of the lake, and what few ducks there were stirring, kept for the most part warily out of range of the point.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading The wildfowl, true to their custom, were bedded in huge flocks far out towards the center of the lake, and what few ducks there were stirring, kept for the most part warily out of range of the point.
flocksnounUS /flɑːks/
plural of “flock” — a church congregation guided by a pastor
From this reading The wildfowl, true to their custom, were bedded in huge flocks far out towards the center of the lake, and what few ducks there were stirring, kept for the most part warily out of range of the point.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The wildfowl, true to their custom, were bedded in huge flocks far out towards the center of the lake, and what few ducks there were stirring, kept for the most part warily out of range of the point.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading On the contrary, his thoughts, which were of the pleasantest, had strayed far away from ducks and duck-shooting.
Gordon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gordon sat in the blind alone, and for so keen a sportsman the poor shooting seemed to trouble him but little.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading On the contrary, his thoughts, which were of the pleasantest, had strayed far away from ducks and duck-shooting.
greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading THE CRISIS The sun still hung an hour high above the horizon.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Gordon sat in the blind alone, and for so keen a sportsman the poor shooting seemed to trouble him but little.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading On the contrary, his thoughts, which were of the pleasantest, had strayed far away from ducks and duck-shooting.
the line at which the sky and Earth appear to meet
From this reading THE CRISIS The sun still hung an hour high above the horizon.
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading THE CRISIS The sun still hung an hour high above the horizon.
unusually great in size or amount or degree or especially extent or scope
From this reading The wildfowl, true to their custom, were bedded in huge flocks far out towards the center of the lake, and what few ducks there were stirring, kept for the most part warily out of range of the point.
inflected form of “hang” — be suspended or hanging
From this reading THE CRISIS The sun still hung an hour high above the horizon.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading No faintest breath of wind was stirring, and the tall pines along the island's shore stood mirrored in the broad lake's placid calm.
island'snounUS /ˈaɪləndz/
possessive form of “island” — a land mass (smaller than a continent) that is surrounded by water
From this reading No faintest breath of wind was stirring, and the tall pines along the island's shore stood mirrored in the broad lake's placid calm.
having or demonstrating ability to recognize or draw fine distinctions
From this reading Gordon sat in the blind alone, and for so keen a sportsman the poor shooting seemed to trouble him but little.
(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded
From this reading The wildfowl, true to their custom, were bedded in huge flocks far out towards the center of the lake, and what few ducks there were stirring, kept for the most part warily out of range of the point.
a body of (usually fresh) water surrounded by land
From this reading The wildfowl, true to their custom, were bedded in huge flocks far out towards the center of the lake, and what few ducks there were stirring, kept for the most part warily out of range of the point.
lake'snounUS /leɪks/
possessive form of “lake” — a body of (usually fresh) water surrounded by land
From this reading No faintest breath of wind was stirring, and the tall pines along the island's shore stood mirrored in the broad lake's placid calm.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Gordon sat in the blind alone, and for so keen a sportsman the poor shooting seemed to trouble him but little.
mirroredadjectiveUS /ˈmɪrərd/
like or characteristic of a mirror image
From this reading No faintest breath of wind was stirring, and the tall pines along the island's shore stood mirrored in the broad lake's placid calm.
used to form the superlative
From this reading The wildfowl, true to their custom, were bedded in huge flocks far out towards the center of the lake, and what few ducks there were stirring, kept for the most part warily out of range of the point.
not any; not one
From this reading No faintest breath of wind was stirring, and the tall pines along the island's shore stood mirrored in the broad lake's placid calm.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading No faintest breath of wind was stirring, and the tall pines along the island's shore stood mirrored in the broad lake's placid calm.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading On the contrary, his thoughts, which were of the pleasantest, had strayed far away from ducks and duck-shooting.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading The wildfowl, true to their custom, were bedded in huge flocks far out towards the center of the lake, and what few ducks there were stirring, kept for the most part warily out of range of the point.
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading The wildfowl, true to their custom, were bedded in huge flocks far out towards the center of the lake, and what few ducks there were stirring, kept for the most part warily out of range of the point.
pinesnounUS /paɪnz/
plural of “pine” — a coniferous tree
From this reading No faintest breath of wind was stirring, and the tall pines along the island's shore stood mirrored in the broad lake's placid calm.
placidadjectiveUS /ˈplæsəd/
(of a body of water) free from disturbance by heavy waves
From this reading No faintest breath of wind was stirring, and the tall pines along the island's shore stood mirrored in the broad lake's placid calm.
pleasantest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the contrary, his thoughts, which were of the pleasantest, had strayed far away from ducks and duck-shooting.
a geometric element that has position but no extension
From this reading The wildfowl, true to their custom, were bedded in huge flocks far out towards the center of the lake, and what few ducks there were stirring, kept for the most part warily out of range of the point.
deserving or inciting pity
From this reading Gordon sat in the blind alone, and for so keen a sportsman the poor shooting seemed to trouble him but little.
an area in which something acts or operates or has power or control: "the range of a supersonic jet"
From this reading The wildfowl, true to their custom, were bedded in huge flocks far out towards the center of the lake, and what few ducks there were stirring, kept for the most part warily out of range of the point.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading Gordon sat in the blind alone, and for so keen a sportsman the poor shooting seemed to trouble him but little.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading Gordon sat in the blind alone, and for so keen a sportsman the poor shooting seemed to trouble him but little.
the act of firing a projectile
From this reading Gordon sat in the blind alone, and for so keen a sportsman the poor shooting seemed to trouble him but little.
the land along the edge of a body of water
From this reading No faintest breath of wind was stirring, and the tall pines along the island's shore stood mirrored in the broad lake's placid calm.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Gordon sat in the blind alone, and for so keen a sportsman the poor shooting seemed to trouble him but little.
sportsmannounUS /ˈspɔːrtsmən/
someone who engages in sports
From this reading Gordon sat in the blind alone, and for so keen a sportsman the poor shooting seemed to trouble him but little.
not in physical motion
From this reading THE CRISIS The sun still hung an hour high above the horizon.
stirringnounUS /ˈstɜːrɪŋ/
agitating a liquid with an implement
From this reading No faintest breath of wind was stirring, and the tall pines along the island's shore stood mirrored in the broad lake's placid calm.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading No faintest breath of wind was stirring, and the tall pines along the island's shore stood mirrored in the broad lake's placid calm.
strayedverbUS /streɪd/
past form of “stray” — move about aimlessly or without any destination, often in search of food or employment
From this reading On the contrary, his thoughts, which were of the pleasantest, had strayed far away from ducks and duck-shooting.
the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system
From this reading THE CRISIS The sun still hung an hour high above the horizon.
great in vertical dimension; high in stature
From this reading No faintest breath of wind was stirring, and the tall pines along the island's shore stood mirrored in the broad lake's placid calm.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE CRISIS The sun still hung an hour high above the horizon.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The wildfowl, true to their custom, were bedded in huge flocks far out towards the center of the lake, and what few ducks there were stirring, kept for the most part warily out of range of the point.
in or at that place or location
From this reading The wildfowl, true to their custom, were bedded in huge flocks far out towards the center of the lake, and what few ducks there were stirring, kept for the most part warily out of range of the point.
plural of “thought” — the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading On the contrary, his thoughts, which were of the pleasantest, had strayed far away from ducks and duck-shooting.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The wildfowl, true to their custom, were bedded in huge flocks far out towards the center of the lake, and what few ducks there were stirring, kept for the most part warily out of range of the point.
in the direction of
From this reading The wildfowl, true to their custom, were bedded in huge flocks far out towards the center of the lake, and what few ducks there were stirring, kept for the most part warily out of range of the point.
a source of difficulty
From this reading Gordon sat in the blind alone, and for so keen a sportsman the poor shooting seemed to trouble him but little.
consistent with fact or reality; not false
From this reading The wildfowl, true to their custom, were bedded in huge flocks far out towards the center of the lake, and what few ducks there were stirring, kept for the most part warily out of range of the point.
warilyadverbUS /ˈwerəli/
in a wary manner
From this reading The wildfowl, true to their custom, were bedded in huge flocks far out towards the center of the lake, and what few ducks there were stirring, kept for the most part warily out of range of the point.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading No faintest breath of wind was stirring, and the tall pines along the island's shore stood mirrored in the broad lake's placid calm.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The wildfowl, true to their custom, were bedded in huge flocks far out towards the center of the lake, and what few ducks there were stirring, kept for the most part warily out of range of the point.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading The wildfowl, true to their custom, were bedded in huge flocks far out towards the center of the lake, and what few ducks there were stirring, kept for the most part warily out of range of the point.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading On the contrary, his thoughts, which were of the pleasantest, had strayed far away from ducks and duck-shooting.
wildfowlnoun
flesh of any of a number of wild game birds suitable for food
From this reading The wildfowl, true to their custom, were bedded in huge flocks far out towards the center of the lake, and what few ducks there were stirring, kept for the most part warily out of range of the point.
air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure
From this reading No faintest breath of wind was stirring, and the tall pines along the island's shore stood mirrored in the broad lake's placid calm.
