used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading There was a little row of tents--three or four--back of the larger one occupied by the general; but these were unlighted and silent.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading There were sentinels posted about the tent; I saw the silhouette of one, and heard several voices conversing gruffly as I slunk past, yet could not definitely locate these last in the gloom.
commonly used or practiced; usual
From this reading AFTER THE DESPATCH-BEARER I was cool-headed, and accustomed to this species of adventure, or I should never have been there.
take a risk in the hope of a favorable outcome
From this reading AFTER THE DESPATCH-BEARER I was cool-headed, and accustomed to this species of adventure, or I should never have been there.
AFTERprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading AFTER THE DESPATCH-BEARER I was cool-headed, and accustomed to this species of adventure, or I should never have been there.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading AFTER THE DESPATCH-BEARER I was cool-headed, and accustomed to this species of adventure, or I should never have been there.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Yet, I confess my nerves tingled as I crept cautiously forward through the fringe of bushes, seeking the exact spot where the major had disappeared down what must have been some species of road.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading There was a little row of tents--three or four--back of the larger one occupied by the general; but these were unlighted and silent.
formed or made thin by hammering
From this reading I crept past them unobserved, emerging into a more open space, where my groping hands encountered wheel-tracks, and the beaten earth of a road.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading AFTER THE DESPATCH-BEARER I was cool-headed, and accustomed to this species of adventure, or I should never have been there.
plural of “bush” — a low woody perennial plant usually having several major stems
From this reading Yet, I confess my nerves tingled as I crept cautiously forward through the fringe of bushes, seeking the exact spot where the major had disappeared down what must have been some species of road.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading There was a little row of tents--three or four--back of the larger one occupied by the general; but these were unlighted and silent.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading There was a little row of tents--three or four--back of the larger one occupied by the general; but these were unlighted and silent.
cautiouslyadverbUS /ˈkɔːʃəsli/
as if with kid gloves; with caution or prudence or tact
From this reading Yet, I confess my nerves tingled as I crept cautiously forward through the fringe of bushes, seeking the exact spot where the major had disappeared down what must have been some species of road.
confess to a punishable or reprehensible deed, usually under pressure
From this reading Yet, I confess my nerves tingled as I crept cautiously forward through the fringe of bushes, seeking the exact spot where the major had disappeared down what must have been some species of road.
conversingverbUS /kənˈvɜːrsɪŋ/
-ing form of “converse” — carry on a conversation
From this reading There were sentinels posted about the tent; I saw the silhouette of one, and heard several voices conversing gruffly as I slunk past, yet could not definitely locate these last in the gloom.
cool-headed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AFTER THE DESPATCH-BEARER I was cool-headed, and accustomed to this species of adventure, or I should never have been there.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading There were sentinels posted about the tent; I saw the silhouette of one, and heard several voices conversing gruffly as I slunk past, yet could not definitely locate these last in the gloom.
inflected form of “creep” — move slowly; in the case of people or animals with the body near the ground
From this reading Yet, I confess my nerves tingled as I crept cautiously forward through the fringe of bushes, seeking the exact spot where the major had disappeared down what must have been some species of road.
definitelyadverbUS /ˈdefənətli/
without question and beyond doubt
From this reading There were sentinels posted about the tent; I saw the silhouette of one, and heard several voices conversing gruffly as I slunk past, yet could not definitely locate these last in the gloom.
DESPATCH-BEARER
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AFTER THE DESPATCH-BEARER I was cool-headed, and accustomed to this species of adventure, or I should never have been there.
past form of “disappear” — get lost, as without warning or explanation
From this reading Yet, I confess my nerves tingled as I crept cautiously forward through the fringe of bushes, seeking the exact spot where the major had disappeared down what must have been some species of road.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading Yet, I confess my nerves tingled as I crept cautiously forward through the fringe of bushes, seeking the exact spot where the major had disappeared down what must have been some species of road.
the 3rd planet from the sun; the planet we live on
From this reading I crept past them unobserved, emerging into a more open space, where my groping hands encountered wheel-tracks, and the beaten earth of a road.
emergingadjectiveUS /ɪˈmɜːrdʒɪŋ/
coming to maturity
From this reading I crept past them unobserved, emerging into a more open space, where my groping hands encountered wheel-tracks, and the beaten earth of a road.
encounteredverbUS /ɪnˈkaʊntərd/
past form of “encounter” — come together
From this reading I crept past them unobserved, emerging into a more open space, where my groping hands encountered wheel-tracks, and the beaten earth of a road.
exactadjectiveUS /ɪɡˈzækt/
Strictly particular and correct.
From this reading Yet, I confess my nerves tingled as I crept cautiously forward through the fringe of bushes, seeking the exact spot where the major had disappeared down what must have been some species of road.
at or to or toward the front
From this reading Yet, I confess my nerves tingled as I crept cautiously forward through the fringe of bushes, seeking the exact spot where the major had disappeared down what must have been some species of road.
the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one
From this reading There was a little row of tents--three or four--back of the larger one occupied by the general; but these were unlighted and silent.
fringenounUS /frɪndʒ/
the outside boundary or surface of something
From this reading Yet, I confess my nerves tingled as I crept cautiously forward through the fringe of bushes, seeking the exact spot where the major had disappeared down what must have been some species of road.
applying to all or most members of a category or group
From this reading There was a little row of tents--three or four--back of the larger one occupied by the general; but these were unlighted and silent.
a state of partial or total darkness
From this reading There were sentinels posted about the tent; I saw the silhouette of one, and heard several voices conversing gruffly as I slunk past, yet could not definitely locate these last in the gloom.
gropingadjectiveUS /ˈɡroʊpɪŋ/
acting with uncertainty or hesitance or lack of confidence
From this reading I crept past them unobserved, emerging into a more open space, where my groping hands encountered wheel-tracks, and the beaten earth of a road.
grufflyadverbUS /ˈɡrʌfli/
in a gruff manner
From this reading There were sentinels posted about the tent; I saw the silhouette of one, and heard several voices conversing gruffly as I slunk past, yet could not definitely locate these last in the gloom.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Yet, I confess my nerves tingled as I crept cautiously forward through the fringe of bushes, seeking the exact spot where the major had disappeared down what must have been some species of road.
(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child
From this reading I crept past them unobserved, emerging into a more open space, where my groping hands encountered wheel-tracks, and the beaten earth of a road.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading AFTER THE DESPATCH-BEARER I was cool-headed, and accustomed to this species of adventure, or I should never have been there.
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading There were sentinels posted about the tent; I saw the silhouette of one, and heard several voices conversing gruffly as I slunk past, yet could not definitely locate these last in the gloom.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading AFTER THE DESPATCH-BEARER I was cool-headed, and accustomed to this species of adventure, or I should never have been there.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading There were sentinels posted about the tent; I saw the silhouette of one, and heard several voices conversing gruffly as I slunk past, yet could not definitely locate these last in the gloom.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading I crept past them unobserved, emerging into a more open space, where my groping hands encountered wheel-tracks, and the beaten earth of a road.
large or big relative to something else
From this reading There was a little row of tents--three or four--back of the larger one occupied by the general; but these were unlighted and silent.
immediately past
From this reading There were sentinels posted about the tent; I saw the silhouette of one, and heard several voices conversing gruffly as I slunk past, yet could not definitely locate these last in the gloom.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading There was a little row of tents--three or four--back of the larger one occupied by the general; but these were unlighted and silent.
locateverbUS /ˈloʊkeɪt/
discover the location of; determine the place of; find by searching or examining
From this reading There were sentinels posted about the tent; I saw the silhouette of one, and heard several voices conversing gruffly as I slunk past, yet could not definitely locate these last in the gloom.
majoradjectiveUS /ˈmeɪdʒər/
of greater importance or stature or rank
From this reading Yet, I confess my nerves tingled as I crept cautiously forward through the fringe of bushes, seeking the exact spot where the major had disappeared down what must have been some species of road.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading I crept past them unobserved, emerging into a more open space, where my groping hands encountered wheel-tracks, and the beaten earth of a road.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading Yet, I confess my nerves tingled as I crept cautiously forward through the fringe of bushes, seeking the exact spot where the major had disappeared down what must have been some species of road.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading Yet, I confess my nerves tingled as I crept cautiously forward through the fringe of bushes, seeking the exact spot where the major had disappeared down what must have been some species of road.
an uneasy psychological state
From this reading Yet, I confess my nerves tingled as I crept cautiously forward through the fringe of bushes, seeking the exact spot where the major had disappeared down what must have been some species of road.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading AFTER THE DESPATCH-BEARER I was cool-headed, and accustomed to this species of adventure, or I should never have been there.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading There were sentinels posted about the tent; I saw the silhouette of one, and heard several voices conversing gruffly as I slunk past, yet could not definitely locate these last in the gloom.
held or filled or in use
From this reading There was a little row of tents--three or four--back of the larger one occupied by the general; but these were unlighted and silent.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading AFTER THE DESPATCH-BEARER I was cool-headed, and accustomed to this species of adventure, or I should never have been there.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading There were sentinels posted about the tent; I saw the silhouette of one, and heard several voices conversing gruffly as I slunk past, yet could not definitely locate these last in the gloom.
To move from a closed position.
From this reading I crept past them unobserved, emerging into a more open space, where my groping hands encountered wheel-tracks, and the beaten earth of a road.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading AFTER THE DESPATCH-BEARER I was cool-headed, and accustomed to this species of adventure, or I should never have been there.
the time that has elapsed
From this reading There were sentinels posted about the tent; I saw the silhouette of one, and heard several voices conversing gruffly as I slunk past, yet could not definitely locate these last in the gloom.
postedadjectiveUS /ˈpoʊstɪd/
publicly displayed
From this reading There were sentinels posted about the tent; I saw the silhouette of one, and heard several voices conversing gruffly as I slunk past, yet could not definitely locate these last in the gloom.
an open way (generally public) for travel or transportation
From this reading Yet, I confess my nerves tingled as I crept cautiously forward through the fringe of bushes, seeking the exact spot where the major had disappeared down what must have been some species of road.
an arrangement of objects or people side by side in a line
From this reading There was a little row of tents--three or four--back of the larger one occupied by the general; but these were unlighted and silent.
cut with a saw
From this reading There were sentinels posted about the tent; I saw the silhouette of one, and heard several voices conversing gruffly as I slunk past, yet could not definitely locate these last in the gloom.
the act of searching for something
From this reading Yet, I confess my nerves tingled as I crept cautiously forward through the fringe of bushes, seeking the exact spot where the major had disappeared down what must have been some species of road.
sentinelsnounUS /ˈsentənəlz/
plural of “sentinel” — a person employed to keep watch for some anticipated event
From this reading There were sentinels posted about the tent; I saw the silhouette of one, and heard several voices conversing gruffly as I slunk past, yet could not definitely locate these last in the gloom.
(used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many
From this reading There were sentinels posted about the tent; I saw the silhouette of one, and heard several voices conversing gruffly as I slunk past, yet could not definitely locate these last in the gloom.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading AFTER THE DESPATCH-BEARER I was cool-headed, and accustomed to this species of adventure, or I should never have been there.
marked by absence of sound
From this reading There was a little row of tents--three or four--back of the larger one occupied by the general; but these were unlighted and silent.
silhouetteverbUS /ˌsɪləˈwet/
project on a background, such as a screen, like a silhouette
From this reading There were sentinels posted about the tent; I saw the silhouette of one, and heard several voices conversing gruffly as I slunk past, yet could not definitely locate these last in the gloom.
slunk
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There were sentinels posted about the tent; I saw the silhouette of one, and heard several voices conversing gruffly as I slunk past, yet could not definitely locate these last in the gloom.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading Yet, I confess my nerves tingled as I crept cautiously forward through the fringe of bushes, seeking the exact spot where the major had disappeared down what must have been some species of road.
the unlimited expanse in which everything is located
From this reading I crept past them unobserved, emerging into a more open space, where my groping hands encountered wheel-tracks, and the beaten earth of a road.
speciesnounUS /ˈspiːʃiz/
(biology) taxonomic group whose members can interbreed
From this reading AFTER THE DESPATCH-BEARER I was cool-headed, and accustomed to this species of adventure, or I should never have been there.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading Yet, I confess my nerves tingled as I crept cautiously forward through the fringe of bushes, seeking the exact spot where the major had disappeared down what must have been some species of road.
a portable shelter (usually of canvas stretched over supporting poles and fastened to the ground with ropes and pegs)
From this reading There were sentinels posted about the tent; I saw the silhouette of one, and heard several voices conversing gruffly as I slunk past, yet could not definitely locate these last in the gloom.
tentsnounUS /tents/
plural of “tent” — a portable shelter (usually of canvas stretched over supporting poles and fastened to the ground with ropes and pegs)
From this reading There was a little row of tents--three or four--back of the larger one occupied by the general; but these were unlighted and silent.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading AFTER THE DESPATCH-BEARER I was cool-headed, and accustomed to this species of adventure, or I should never have been there.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading I crept past them unobserved, emerging into a more open space, where my groping hands encountered wheel-tracks, and the beaten earth of a road.
in or at that place or location
From this reading AFTER THE DESPATCH-BEARER I was cool-headed, and accustomed to this species of adventure, or I should never have been there.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading There were sentinels posted about the tent; I saw the silhouette of one, and heard several voices conversing gruffly as I slunk past, yet could not definitely locate these last in the gloom.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading AFTER THE DESPATCH-BEARER I was cool-headed, and accustomed to this species of adventure, or I should never have been there.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading There was a little row of tents--three or four--back of the larger one occupied by the general; but these were unlighted and silent.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading Yet, I confess my nerves tingled as I crept cautiously forward through the fringe of bushes, seeking the exact spot where the major had disappeared down what must have been some species of road.
tingled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Yet, I confess my nerves tingled as I crept cautiously forward through the fringe of bushes, seeking the exact spot where the major had disappeared down what must have been some species of road.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading AFTER THE DESPATCH-BEARER I was cool-headed, and accustomed to this species of adventure, or I should never have been there.
unlightedadjective
not set afire or burning
From this reading There was a little row of tents--three or four--back of the larger one occupied by the general; but these were unlighted and silent.
unobservedadjective
not seen or observed
From this reading I crept past them unobserved, emerging into a more open space, where my groping hands encountered wheel-tracks, and the beaten earth of a road.
plural of “voice” — the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech
From this reading There were sentinels posted about the tent; I saw the silhouette of one, and heard several voices conversing gruffly as I slunk past, yet could not definitely locate these last in the gloom.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading AFTER THE DESPATCH-BEARER I was cool-headed, and accustomed to this species of adventure, or I should never have been there.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading There were sentinels posted about the tent; I saw the silhouette of one, and heard several voices conversing gruffly as I slunk past, yet could not definitely locate these last in the gloom.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading Yet, I confess my nerves tingled as I crept cautiously forward through the fringe of bushes, seeking the exact spot where the major had disappeared down what must have been some species of road.
wheel-tracks
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I crept past them unobserved, emerging into a more open space, where my groping hands encountered wheel-tracks, and the beaten earth of a road.
in or at the place that
From this reading Yet, I confess my nerves tingled as I crept cautiously forward through the fringe of bushes, seeking the exact spot where the major had disappeared down what must have been some species of road.
but in spite of that
From this reading Yet, I confess my nerves tingled as I crept cautiously forward through the fringe of bushes, seeking the exact spot where the major had disappeared down what must have been some species of road.
