used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading FOOD AND SHELTER I was awakened by a shaft of sunlight striking my face, and opened my eyes to find the day well advanced.
farther along in physical or mental development
From this reading FOOD AND SHELTER I was awakened by a shaft of sunlight striking my face, and opened my eyes to find the day well advanced.
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading I was wonderfully strengthened and refreshed by my long sleep, but I was all but famished, and as soon as the fire was going well I hurried to the river for more mussels.
amidprepositionUS /əˈmɪd/
in the middle of; surrounded by
From this reading A thread of bluish smoke rose from the heap of ashes, however, and by raking these aside and thrusting bits of birch bark amid the embers I soon had a new blaze started, which I piled high with dry wood.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading FOOD AND SHELTER I was awakened by a shaft of sunlight striking my face, and opened my eyes to find the day well advanced.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading I was wonderfully strengthened and refreshed by my long sleep, but I was all but famished, and as soon as the fire was going well I hurried to the river for more mussels.
ashesnounUS /ˈæʃ.ɪz/
The powdery residue left after the burning of a substance.
From this reading A thread of bluish smoke rose from the heap of ashes, however, and by raking these aside and thrusting bits of birch bark amid the embers I soon had a new blaze started, which I piled high with dry wood.
on or to one side
From this reading A thread of bluish smoke rose from the heap of ashes, however, and by raking these aside and thrusting bits of birch bark amid the embers I soon had a new blaze started, which I piled high with dry wood.
awakenedadjectiveUS /əˈweɪkənd/
aroused or activated
From this reading FOOD AND SHELTER I was awakened by a shaft of sunlight striking my face, and opened my eyes to find the day well advanced.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading I found a few here and a few there, and with a dozen or two went back to the fire and presently was breakfasting off the shell-fish.
barknounUS /bɑːrk/
tough protective covering of the woody stems and roots of trees and other woody plants
From this reading A thread of bluish smoke rose from the heap of ashes, however, and by raking these aside and thrusting bits of birch bark amid the embers I soon had a new blaze started, which I piled high with dry wood.
birchnounUS /bɜːrtʃ/
hard close-grained wood of any of various birch trees; used especially in furniture and interior finishes and plywood
From this reading A thread of bluish smoke rose from the heap of ashes, however, and by raking these aside and thrusting bits of birch bark amid the embers I soon had a new blaze started, which I piled high with dry wood.
bitsnounUS /bɪts/
plural of “bit” — a small piece or quantity of something
From this reading A thread of bluish smoke rose from the heap of ashes, however, and by raking these aside and thrusting bits of birch bark amid the embers I soon had a new blaze started, which I piled high with dry wood.
blazenounUS /bleɪz/
a strong flame that burns brightly
From this reading A thread of bluish smoke rose from the heap of ashes, however, and by raking these aside and thrusting bits of birch bark amid the embers I soon had a new blaze started, which I piled high with dry wood.
bluishadjectiveUS /ˈbluːɪʃ/
of the color intermediate between green and violet; having a color similar to that of a clear unclouded sky
From this reading A thread of bluish smoke rose from the heap of ashes, however, and by raking these aside and thrusting bits of birch bark amid the embers I soon had a new blaze started, which I piled high with dry wood.
breakfasting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I found a few here and a few there, and with a dozen or two went back to the fire and presently was breakfasting off the shell-fish.
treated by heating to a high temperature but below the melting or fusing point
From this reading My first thought was of the fire, which had burned completely out.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading I was wonderfully strengthened and refreshed by my long sleep, but I was all but famished, and as soon as the fire was going well I hurried to the river for more mussels.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading FOOD AND SHELTER I was awakened by a shaft of sunlight striking my face, and opened my eyes to find the day well advanced.
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading My first thought was of the fire, which had burned completely out.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading FOOD AND SHELTER I was awakened by a shaft of sunlight striking my face, and opened my eyes to find the day well advanced.
the cardinal number that is the sum of eleven and one
From this reading I found a few here and a few there, and with a dozen or two went back to the fire and presently was breakfasting off the shell-fish.
free from liquid or moisture; lacking natural or normal moisture or depleted of water; or no longer wet
From this reading A thread of bluish smoke rose from the heap of ashes, however, and by raking these aside and thrusting bits of birch bark amid the embers I soon had a new blaze started, which I piled high with dry wood.
embersnounUS /ˈembərz/
plural of “ember” — a hot fragment of wood or coal that is left from a fire and is glowing or smoldering
From this reading A thread of bluish smoke rose from the heap of ashes, however, and by raking these aside and thrusting bits of birch bark amid the embers I soon had a new blaze started, which I piled high with dry wood.
opinion or judgment
From this reading FOOD AND SHELTER I was awakened by a shaft of sunlight striking my face, and opened my eyes to find the day well advanced.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading FOOD AND SHELTER I was awakened by a shaft of sunlight striking my face, and opened my eyes to find the day well advanced.
famishedadjectiveUS /ˈfæmɪʃt/
extremely hungry
From this reading I was wonderfully strengthened and refreshed by my long sleep, but I was all but famished, and as soon as the fire was going well I hurried to the river for more mussels.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading I found a few here and a few there, and with a dozen or two went back to the fire and presently was breakfasting off the shell-fish.
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading FOOD AND SHELTER I was awakened by a shaft of sunlight striking my face, and opened my eyes to find the day well advanced.
start firing a weapon
From this reading My first thought was of the fire, which had burned completely out.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading My first thought was of the fire, which had burned completely out.
any substance that can be metabolized by an animal to give energy and build tissue
From this reading FOOD AND SHELTER I was awakened by a shaft of sunlight striking my face, and opened my eyes to find the day well advanced.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading I was wonderfully strengthened and refreshed by my long sleep, but I was all but famished, and as soon as the fire was going well I hurried to the river for more mussels.
set up or found
From this reading I found a few here and a few there, and with a dozen or two went back to the fire and presently was breakfasting off the shell-fish.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading A thread of bluish smoke rose from the heap of ashes, however, and by raking these aside and thrusting bits of birch bark amid the embers I soon had a new blaze started, which I piled high with dry wood.
the act of departing
From this reading I was wonderfully strengthened and refreshed by my long sleep, but I was all but famished, and as soon as the fire was going well I hurried to the river for more mussels.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading My first thought was of the fire, which had burned completely out.
a collection of objects laid on top of each other
From this reading A thread of bluish smoke rose from the heap of ashes, however, and by raking these aside and thrusting bits of birch bark amid the embers I soon had a new blaze started, which I piled high with dry wood.
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading I found a few here and a few there, and with a dozen or two went back to the fire and presently was breakfasting off the shell-fish.
greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading A thread of bluish smoke rose from the heap of ashes, however, and by raking these aside and thrusting bits of birch bark amid the embers I soon had a new blaze started, which I piled high with dry wood.
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading A thread of bluish smoke rose from the heap of ashes, however, and by raking these aside and thrusting bits of birch bark amid the embers I soon had a new blaze started, which I piled high with dry wood.
moving rapidly or performed quickly or in great haste
From this reading I was wonderfully strengthened and refreshed by my long sleep, but I was all but famished, and as soon as the fire was going well I hurried to the river for more mussels.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading FOOD AND SHELTER I was awakened by a shaft of sunlight striking my face, and opened my eyes to find the day well advanced.
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading I was wonderfully strengthened and refreshed by my long sleep, but I was all but famished, and as soon as the fire was going well I hurried to the river for more mussels.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading I was wonderfully strengthened and refreshed by my long sleep, but I was all but famished, and as soon as the fire was going well I hurried to the river for more mussels.
musselsnounUS /ˈmʌsəlz/
plural of “mussel” — black marine bivalves usually steamed in wine
From this reading I was wonderfully strengthened and refreshed by my long sleep, but I was all but famished, and as soon as the fire was going well I hurried to the river for more mussels.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading FOOD AND SHELTER I was awakened by a shaft of sunlight striking my face, and opened my eyes to find the day well advanced.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading A thread of bluish smoke rose from the heap of ashes, however, and by raking these aside and thrusting bits of birch bark amid the embers I soon had a new blaze started, which I piled high with dry wood.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading FOOD AND SHELTER I was awakened by a shaft of sunlight striking my face, and opened my eyes to find the day well advanced.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading I found a few here and a few there, and with a dozen or two went back to the fire and presently was breakfasting off the shell-fish.
used of mouth or eyes
From this reading FOOD AND SHELTER I was awakened by a shaft of sunlight striking my face, and opened my eyes to find the day well advanced.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading I found a few here and a few there, and with a dozen or two went back to the fire and presently was breakfasting off the shell-fish.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading My first thought was of the fire, which had burned completely out.
piledverbUS /paɪld/
past form of “pile” — arrange in stacks
From this reading A thread of bluish smoke rose from the heap of ashes, however, and by raking these aside and thrusting bits of birch bark amid the embers I soon had a new blaze started, which I piled high with dry wood.
in the near future
From this reading I found a few here and a few there, and with a dozen or two went back to the fire and presently was breakfasting off the shell-fish.
rakingverbUS /ˈreɪkɪŋ/
-ing form of “rake” — move through with or as if with a rake
From this reading A thread of bluish smoke rose from the heap of ashes, however, and by raking these aside and thrusting bits of birch bark amid the embers I soon had a new blaze started, which I piled high with dry wood.
refreshedadjectiveUS /riˈfreʃt/
with restored energy
From this reading I was wonderfully strengthened and refreshed by my long sleep, but I was all but famished, and as soon as the fire was going well I hurried to the river for more mussels.
a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)
From this reading I was wonderfully strengthened and refreshed by my long sleep, but I was all but famished, and as soon as the fire was going well I hurried to the river for more mussels.
any of many shrubs of the genus Rosa that bear roses
From this reading A thread of bluish smoke rose from the heap of ashes, however, and by raking these aside and thrusting bits of birch bark amid the embers I soon had a new blaze started, which I piled high with dry wood.
shaftnounUS /ʃæft/
a line that forms the length of an arrow pointer
From this reading FOOD AND SHELTER I was awakened by a shaft of sunlight striking my face, and opened my eyes to find the day well advanced.
shell-fish
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I found a few here and a few there, and with a dozen or two went back to the fire and presently was breakfasting off the shell-fish.
a structure that provides privacy and protection from danger
From this reading FOOD AND SHELTER I was awakened by a shaft of sunlight striking my face, and opened my eyes to find the day well advanced.
a natural and periodic state of rest during which consciousness of the world is suspended
From this reading I was wonderfully strengthened and refreshed by my long sleep, but I was all but famished, and as soon as the fire was going well I hurried to the river for more mussels.
a cloud of fine particles suspended in a gas
From this reading A thread of bluish smoke rose from the heap of ashes, however, and by raking these aside and thrusting bits of birch bark amid the embers I soon had a new blaze started, which I piled high with dry wood.
in the near future
From this reading A thread of bluish smoke rose from the heap of ashes, however, and by raking these aside and thrusting bits of birch bark amid the embers I soon had a new blaze started, which I piled high with dry wood.
past form of “start” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading A thread of bluish smoke rose from the heap of ashes, however, and by raking these aside and thrusting bits of birch bark amid the embers I soon had a new blaze started, which I piled high with dry wood.
strengthenedadjectiveUS /ˈstreŋθənd/
given added strength or support
From this reading I was wonderfully strengthened and refreshed by my long sleep, but I was all but famished, and as soon as the fire was going well I hurried to the river for more mussels.
sensational in appearance or thrilling in effect
From this reading FOOD AND SHELTER I was awakened by a shaft of sunlight striking my face, and opened my eyes to find the day well advanced.
the rays of the sun
From this reading FOOD AND SHELTER I was awakened by a shaft of sunlight striking my face, and opened my eyes to find the day well advanced.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading FOOD AND SHELTER I was awakened by a shaft of sunlight striking my face, and opened my eyes to find the day well advanced.
in or at that place or location
From this reading I found a few here and a few there, and with a dozen or two went back to the fire and presently was breakfasting off the shell-fish.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading A thread of bluish smoke rose from the heap of ashes, however, and by raking these aside and thrusting bits of birch bark amid the embers I soon had a new blaze started, which I piled high with dry wood.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading My first thought was of the fire, which had burned completely out.
threadverbUS /θred/
to move or cause to move in a sinuous, spiral, or circular course
From this reading A thread of bluish smoke rose from the heap of ashes, however, and by raking these aside and thrusting bits of birch bark amid the embers I soon had a new blaze started, which I piled high with dry wood.
thrustingnounUS /ˈθrʌstɪŋ/
a sharp hand gesture (resembling a blow)
From this reading A thread of bluish smoke rose from the heap of ashes, however, and by raking these aside and thrusting bits of birch bark amid the embers I soon had a new blaze started, which I piled high with dry wood.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading FOOD AND SHELTER I was awakened by a shaft of sunlight striking my face, and opened my eyes to find the day well advanced.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading I found a few here and a few there, and with a dozen or two went back to the fire and presently was breakfasting off the shell-fish.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading FOOD AND SHELTER I was awakened by a shaft of sunlight striking my face, and opened my eyes to find the day well advanced.
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading FOOD AND SHELTER I was awakened by a shaft of sunlight striking my face, and opened my eyes to find the day well advanced.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading I found a few here and a few there, and with a dozen or two went back to the fire and presently was breakfasting off the shell-fish.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading My first thought was of the fire, which had burned completely out.
in the company of; together with
From this reading A thread of bluish smoke rose from the heap of ashes, however, and by raking these aside and thrusting bits of birch bark amid the embers I soon had a new blaze started, which I piled high with dry wood.
wonderfullyadverbUS /ˈwʌndərfəli/
(used as an intensifier) extremely well
From this reading I was wonderfully strengthened and refreshed by my long sleep, but I was all but famished, and as soon as the fire was going well I hurried to the river for more mussels.
the hard fibrous lignified substance under the bark of trees
From this reading A thread of bluish smoke rose from the heap of ashes, however, and by raking these aside and thrusting bits of birch bark amid the embers I soon had a new blaze started, which I piled high with dry wood.
