used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Winter had lingered unusually long that year, and the prairie gleamed dimly white, with the sledge trail cutting athwart it, a smear of blue-gray in the foreground.
aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading A half moon, coppery red with frost, hung low above the snow-covered earth, and there was no sound but the crunch beneath the runners, and the beat of hoofs that rang dully through the silence like a roll of muffled drums.
from one side of something to the other
From this reading It was--for Lander's lay behind them with the snow among the stubble belts that engirdled it--an empty wilderness that the mettlesome team swung across, and during the first few minutes the cold struck through the horses with a sting like the thrust of steel.
amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/
surrounded by; in the middle of a group
From this reading It was--for Lander's lay behind them with the snow among the stubble belts that engirdled it--an empty wilderness that the mettlesome team swung across, and during the first few minutes the cold struck through the horses with a sting like the thrust of steel.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading It was--for Lander's lay behind them with the snow among the stubble belts that engirdled it--an empty wilderness that the mettlesome team swung across, and during the first few minutes the cold struck through the horses with a sting like the thrust of steel.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading SALLY TAKES CHARGE The night was clear and bitterly cold when Hawtrey and Sally Creighton drove away from Stukely's barn.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Sleighs like the one that Hawtrey drove are not common on the prairie, where the farmer generally uses the humble bob-sled when the snow lies unusually long.
athwartadverbUS /əˈθwɔːrt/
at right angles to the center line of a ship
From this reading Winter had lingered unusually long that year, and the prairie gleamed dimly white, with the sledge trail cutting athwart it, a smear of blue-gray in the foreground.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading SALLY TAKES CHARGE The night was clear and bitterly cold when Hawtrey and Sally Creighton drove away from Stukely's barn.
barnnounUS /bɑːrn/
an outlying farm building for storing grain or animal feed and housing farm animals
From this reading SALLY TAKES CHARGE The night was clear and bitterly cold when Hawtrey and Sally Creighton drove away from Stukely's barn.
come out better in a competition, race, or conflict
From this reading A half moon, coppery red with frost, hung low above the snow-covered earth, and there was no sound but the crunch beneath the runners, and the beat of hoofs that rang dully through the silence like a roll of muffled drums.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading It was--for Lander's lay behind them with the snow among the stubble belts that engirdled it--an empty wilderness that the mettlesome team swung across, and during the first few minutes the cold struck through the horses with a sting like the thrust of steel.
beltsnounUS /belts/
plural of “belt” — endless loop of flexible material between two rotating shafts or pulleys
From this reading It was--for Lander's lay behind them with the snow among the stubble belts that engirdled it--an empty wilderness that the mettlesome team swung across, and during the first few minutes the cold struck through the horses with a sting like the thrust of steel.
Directly under; in or to a lower position than.
From this reading A half moon, coppery red with frost, hung low above the snow-covered earth, and there was no sound but the crunch beneath the runners, and the beat of hoofs that rang dully through the silence like a roll of muffled drums.
with bitterness; in a resentful manner
From this reading SALLY TAKES CHARGE The night was clear and bitterly cold when Hawtrey and Sally Creighton drove away from Stukely's barn.
blue-grayadjective
of grey tinged with blue
From this reading Winter had lingered unusually long that year, and the prairie gleamed dimly white, with the sledge trail cutting athwart it, a smear of blue-gray in the foreground.
bob-sled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sleighs like the one that Hawtrey drove are not common on the prairie, where the farmer generally uses the humble bob-sled when the snow lies unusually long.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading A half moon, coppery red with frost, hung low above the snow-covered earth, and there was no sound but the crunch beneath the runners, and the beat of hoofs that rang dully through the silence like a roll of muffled drums.
to make a rush at or sudden attack upon, as in battle
From this reading SALLY TAKES CHARGE The night was clear and bitterly cold when Hawtrey and Sally Creighton drove away from Stukely's barn.
rid of obstructions
From this reading SALLY TAKES CHARGE The night was clear and bitterly cold when Hawtrey and Sally Creighton drove away from Stukely's barn.
having a low or inadequate temperature or feeling a sensation of coldness or having been made cold by e.g. ice or refrigeration
From this reading SALLY TAKES CHARGE The night was clear and bitterly cold when Hawtrey and Sally Creighton drove away from Stukely's barn.
belonging to or participated in by a community as a whole; public
From this reading Sleighs like the one that Hawtrey drove are not common on the prairie, where the farmer generally uses the humble bob-sled when the snow lies unusually long.
copperyadjectiveUS /ˈkɑːpəri/
of something having the color of copper
From this reading A half moon, coppery red with frost, hung low above the snow-covered earth, and there was no sound but the crunch beneath the runners, and the beat of hoofs that rang dully through the silence like a roll of muffled drums.
Creighton
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading SALLY TAKES CHARGE The night was clear and bitterly cold when Hawtrey and Sally Creighton drove away from Stukely's barn.
crunchverbUS /krʌntʃ/
make a crushing noise
From this reading A half moon, coppery red with frost, hung low above the snow-covered earth, and there was no sound but the crunch beneath the runners, and the beat of hoofs that rang dully through the silence like a roll of muffled drums.
cuttingnounUS /ˈkʌtɪŋ/
the activity of selecting the scenes to be shown and putting them together to create a film
From this reading Winter had lingered unusually long that year, and the prairie gleamed dimly white, with the sledge trail cutting athwart it, a smear of blue-gray in the foreground.
dimlyadverbUS /ˈdɪmli/
in a dim indistinct manner
From this reading Winter had lingered unusually long that year, and the prairie gleamed dimly white, with the sledge trail cutting athwart it, a smear of blue-gray in the foreground.
a group of animals (a herd or flock) moving together
From this reading SALLY TAKES CHARGE The night was clear and bitterly cold when Hawtrey and Sally Creighton drove away from Stukely's barn.
drumsnounUS /drʌmz/
plural of “drum” — a musical percussion instrument; usually consists of a hollow cylinder with a membrane stretched across each end
From this reading A half moon, coppery red with frost, hung low above the snow-covered earth, and there was no sound but the crunch beneath the runners, and the beat of hoofs that rang dully through the silence like a roll of muffled drums.
dullyadverb
without liveliness
From this reading A half moon, coppery red with frost, hung low above the snow-covered earth, and there was no sound but the crunch beneath the runners, and the beat of hoofs that rang dully through the silence like a roll of muffled drums.
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading It was--for Lander's lay behind them with the snow among the stubble belts that engirdled it--an empty wilderness that the mettlesome team swung across, and during the first few minutes the cold struck through the horses with a sting like the thrust of steel.
the 3rd planet from the sun; the planet we live on
From this reading A half moon, coppery red with frost, hung low above the snow-covered earth, and there was no sound but the crunch beneath the runners, and the beat of hoofs that rang dully through the silence like a roll of muffled drums.
make void or empty of contents
From this reading It was--for Lander's lay behind them with the snow among the stubble belts that engirdled it--an empty wilderness that the mettlesome team swung across, and during the first few minutes the cold struck through the horses with a sting like the thrust of steel.
engirdled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was--for Lander's lay behind them with the snow among the stubble belts that engirdled it--an empty wilderness that the mettlesome team swung across, and during the first few minutes the cold struck through the horses with a sting like the thrust of steel.
a person who operates a farm
From this reading Sleighs like the one that Hawtrey drove are not common on the prairie, where the farmer generally uses the humble bob-sled when the snow lies unusually long.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading It was--for Lander's lay behind them with the snow among the stubble belts that engirdled it--an empty wilderness that the mettlesome team swung across, and during the first few minutes the cold struck through the horses with a sting like the thrust of steel.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading It was--for Lander's lay behind them with the snow among the stubble belts that engirdled it--an empty wilderness that the mettlesome team swung across, and during the first few minutes the cold struck through the horses with a sting like the thrust of steel.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading It was--for Lander's lay behind them with the snow among the stubble belts that engirdled it--an empty wilderness that the mettlesome team swung across, and during the first few minutes the cold struck through the horses with a sting like the thrust of steel.
foregroundnounUS /ˈfɔːrɡraʊnd/
the part of a scene that is near the viewer
From this reading Winter had lingered unusually long that year, and the prairie gleamed dimly white, with the sledge trail cutting athwart it, a smear of blue-gray in the foreground.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading SALLY TAKES CHARGE The night was clear and bitterly cold when Hawtrey and Sally Creighton drove away from Stukely's barn.
frostnounUS /frɔːst/
ice crystals forming a white deposit (especially on objects outside)
From this reading A half moon, coppery red with frost, hung low above the snow-covered earth, and there was no sound but the crunch beneath the runners, and the beat of hoofs that rang dully through the silence like a roll of muffled drums.
usually; as a rule
From this reading Sleighs like the one that Hawtrey drove are not common on the prairie, where the farmer generally uses the humble bob-sled when the snow lies unusually long.
gleamedverbUS /ɡliːmd/
past form of “gleam” — be shiny, as if wet
From this reading Winter had lingered unusually long that year, and the prairie gleamed dimly white, with the sledge trail cutting athwart it, a smear of blue-gray in the foreground.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Winter had lingered unusually long that year, and the prairie gleamed dimly white, with the sledge trail cutting athwart it, a smear of blue-gray in the foreground.
consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity
From this reading A half moon, coppery red with frost, hung low above the snow-covered earth, and there was no sound but the crunch beneath the runners, and the beat of hoofs that rang dully through the silence like a roll of muffled drums.
Hawtrey
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading SALLY TAKES CHARGE The night was clear and bitterly cold when Hawtrey and Sally Creighton drove away from Stukely's barn.
hoofsnounUS /hʊfs/
plural of “hoof” — the foot of an ungulate mammal
From this reading A half moon, coppery red with frost, hung low above the snow-covered earth, and there was no sound but the crunch beneath the runners, and the beat of hoofs that rang dully through the silence like a roll of muffled drums.
plural of “horse” — solid-hoofed herbivorous quadruped domesticated since prehistoric times
From this reading It was--for Lander's lay behind them with the snow among the stubble belts that engirdled it--an empty wilderness that the mettlesome team swung across, and during the first few minutes the cold struck through the horses with a sting like the thrust of steel.
low or inferior in station or quality
From this reading Sleighs like the one that Hawtrey drove are not common on the prairie, where the farmer generally uses the humble bob-sled when the snow lies unusually long.
inflected form of “hang” — be suspended or hanging
From this reading A half moon, coppery red with frost, hung low above the snow-covered earth, and there was no sound but the crunch beneath the runners, and the beat of hoofs that rang dully through the silence like a roll of muffled drums.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Winter had lingered unusually long that year, and the prairie gleamed dimly white, with the sledge trail cutting athwart it, a smear of blue-gray in the foreground.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Winter had lingered unusually long that year, and the prairie gleamed dimly white, with the sledge trail cutting athwart it, a smear of blue-gray in the foreground.
Lander's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was--for Lander's lay behind them with the snow among the stubble belts that engirdled it--an empty wilderness that the mettlesome team swung across, and during the first few minutes the cold struck through the horses with a sting like the thrust of steel.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading It was--for Lander's lay behind them with the snow among the stubble belts that engirdled it--an empty wilderness that the mettlesome team swung across, and during the first few minutes the cold struck through the horses with a sting like the thrust of steel.
plural of “lie” — a statement that deviates from or perverts the truth
From this reading Sleighs like the one that Hawtrey drove are not common on the prairie, where the farmer generally uses the humble bob-sled when the snow lies unusually long.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading It was--for Lander's lay behind them with the snow among the stubble belts that engirdled it--an empty wilderness that the mettlesome team swung across, and during the first few minutes the cold struck through the horses with a sting like the thrust of steel.
lingeredverbUS /ˈlɪŋɡərd/
past form of “linger” — remain present although waning or gradually dying
From this reading Winter had lingered unusually long that year, and the prairie gleamed dimly white, with the sledge trail cutting athwart it, a smear of blue-gray in the foreground.
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 Winter had lingered unusually long that year, and the prairie gleamed dimly white, with the sledge trail cutting athwart it, a smear of blue-gray in the foreground.
less than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading A half moon, coppery red with frost, hung low above the snow-covered earth, and there was no sound but the crunch beneath the runners, and the beat of hoofs that rang dully through the silence like a roll of muffled drums.
mettlesomeadjective
having a proud and unbroken spirit
From this reading It was--for Lander's lay behind them with the snow among the stubble belts that engirdled it--an empty wilderness that the mettlesome team swung across, and during the first few minutes the cold struck through the horses with a sting like the thrust of steel.
a written account of what transpired at a meeting
From this reading It was--for Lander's lay behind them with the snow among the stubble belts that engirdled it--an empty wilderness that the mettlesome team swung across, and during the first few minutes the cold struck through the horses with a sting like the thrust of steel.
the natural satellite of the Earth
From this reading A half moon, coppery red with frost, hung low above the snow-covered earth, and there was no sound but the crunch beneath the runners, and the beat of hoofs that rang dully through the silence like a roll of muffled drums.
muffledadjectiveUS /ˈmʌfəld/
being or made softer or less loud or clear
From this reading A half moon, coppery red with frost, hung low above the snow-covered earth, and there was no sound but the crunch beneath the runners, and the beat of hoofs that rang dully through the silence like a roll of muffled drums.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading SALLY TAKES CHARGE The night was clear and bitterly cold when Hawtrey and Sally Creighton drove away from Stukely's barn.
not any; not one
From this reading A half moon, coppery red with frost, hung low above the snow-covered earth, and there was no sound but the crunch beneath the runners, and the beat of hoofs that rang dully through the silence like a roll of muffled drums.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Sleighs like the one that Hawtrey drove are not common on the prairie, where the farmer generally uses the humble bob-sled when the snow lies unusually long.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Winter had lingered unusually long that year, and the prairie gleamed dimly white, with the sledge trail cutting athwart it, a smear of blue-gray in the foreground.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Sleighs like the one that Hawtrey drove are not common on the prairie, where the farmer generally uses the humble bob-sled when the snow lies unusually long.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Sleighs like the one that Hawtrey drove are not common on the prairie, where the farmer generally uses the humble bob-sled when the snow lies unusually long.
prairienounUS /ˈpreri/
a treeless grassy plain
From this reading Winter had lingered unusually long that year, and the prairie gleamed dimly white, with the sledge trail cutting athwart it, a smear of blue-gray in the foreground.
inflected form of “ring” — sound loudly and sonorously
From this reading A half moon, coppery red with frost, hung low above the snow-covered earth, and there was no sound but the crunch beneath the runners, and the beat of hoofs that rang dully through the silence like a roll of muffled drums.
red color or pigment; the chromatic color resembling the hue of blood
From this reading A half moon, coppery red with frost, hung low above the snow-covered earth, and there was no sound but the crunch beneath the runners, and the beat of hoofs that rang dully through the silence like a roll of muffled drums.
move by turning over or rotating
From this reading A half moon, coppery red with frost, hung low above the snow-covered earth, and there was no sound but the crunch beneath the runners, and the beat of hoofs that rang dully through the silence like a roll of muffled drums.
runnersnounUS /ˈrʌnərz/
plural of “runner” — someone who imports or exports without paying duties
From this reading A half moon, coppery red with frost, hung low above the snow-covered earth, and there was no sound but the crunch beneath the runners, and the beat of hoofs that rang dully through the silence like a roll of muffled drums.
SALLYnounUS /ˈsæli/
witty remark
From this reading SALLY TAKES CHARGE The night was clear and bitterly cold when Hawtrey and Sally Creighton drove away from Stukely's barn.
Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.
From this reading A half moon, coppery red with frost, hung low above the snow-covered earth, and there was no sound but the crunch beneath the runners, and the beat of hoofs that rang dully through the silence like a roll of muffled drums.
sledgeverbUS /sledʒ/
transport in a sleigh
From this reading Winter had lingered unusually long that year, and the prairie gleamed dimly white, with the sledge trail cutting athwart it, a smear of blue-gray in the foreground.
Sleighs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sleighs like the one that Hawtrey drove are not common on the prairie, where the farmer generally uses the humble bob-sled when the snow lies unusually long.
smearnounUS /smɪr/
slanderous defamation
From this reading Winter had lingered unusually long that year, and the prairie gleamed dimly white, with the sledge trail cutting athwart it, a smear of blue-gray in the foreground.
precipitation falling from clouds in the form of ice crystals
From this reading It was--for Lander's lay behind them with the snow among the stubble belts that engirdled it--an empty wilderness that the mettlesome team swung across, and during the first few minutes the cold struck through the horses with a sting like the thrust of steel.
snow-coveredadjective
covered with snow
From this reading A half moon, coppery red with frost, hung low above the snow-covered earth, and there was no sound but the crunch beneath the runners, and the beat of hoofs that rang dully through the silence like a roll of muffled drums.
the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause
From this reading A half moon, coppery red with frost, hung low above the snow-covered earth, and there was no sound but the crunch beneath the runners, and the beat of hoofs that rang dully through the silence like a roll of muffled drums.
an alloy of iron with small amounts of carbon; widely used in construction; mechanical properties can be varied over a wide range
From this reading It was--for Lander's lay behind them with the snow among the stubble belts that engirdled it--an empty wilderness that the mettlesome team swung across, and during the first few minutes the cold struck through the horses with a sting like the thrust of steel.
stingverbUS /stɪŋ/
cause a sharp or stinging pain or discomfort
From this reading It was--for Lander's lay behind them with the snow among the stubble belts that engirdled it--an empty wilderness that the mettlesome team swung across, and during the first few minutes the cold struck through the horses with a sting like the thrust of steel.
(used in combination) affected by something overwhelming
From this reading It was--for Lander's lay behind them with the snow among the stubble belts that engirdled it--an empty wilderness that the mettlesome team swung across, and during the first few minutes the cold struck through the horses with a sting like the thrust of steel.
stubblenounUS /ˈstʌbəl/
material consisting of seed coverings and small pieces of stem or leaves that have been separated from the seeds
From this reading It was--for Lander's lay behind them with the snow among the stubble belts that engirdled it--an empty wilderness that the mettlesome team swung across, and during the first few minutes the cold struck through the horses with a sting like the thrust of steel.
Stukely's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading SALLY TAKES CHARGE The night was clear and bitterly cold when Hawtrey and Sally Creighton drove away from Stukely's barn.
inflected form of “swing” — move in a curve or arc, usually with the intent of hitting
From this reading It was--for Lander's lay behind them with the snow among the stubble belts that engirdled it--an empty wilderness that the mettlesome team swung across, and during the first few minutes the cold struck through the horses with a sting like the thrust of steel.
plural of “take” — the income or profit arising from such transactions as the sale of land or other property
From this reading SALLY TAKES CHARGE The night was clear and bitterly cold when Hawtrey and Sally Creighton drove away from Stukely's barn.
teamnounUS /tiːm/
a cooperative unit (especially in sports)
From this reading It was--for Lander's lay behind them with the snow among the stubble belts that engirdled it--an empty wilderness that the mettlesome team swung across, and during the first few minutes the cold struck through the horses with a sting like the thrust of steel.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Winter had lingered unusually long that year, and the prairie gleamed dimly white, with the sledge trail cutting athwart it, a smear of blue-gray in the foreground.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading SALLY TAKES CHARGE The night was clear and bitterly cold when Hawtrey and Sally Creighton drove away from Stukely's barn.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading It was--for Lander's lay behind them with the snow among the stubble belts that engirdled it--an empty wilderness that the mettlesome team swung across, and during the first few minutes the cold struck through the horses with a sting like the thrust of steel.
in or at that place or location
From this reading A half moon, coppery red with frost, hung low above the snow-covered earth, and there was no sound but the crunch beneath the runners, and the beat of hoofs that rang dully through the silence like a roll of muffled drums.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading It was--for Lander's lay behind them with the snow among the stubble belts that engirdled it--an empty wilderness that the mettlesome team swung across, and during the first few minutes the cold struck through the horses with a sting like the thrust of steel.
push forcefully
From this reading It was--for Lander's lay behind them with the snow among the stubble belts that engirdled it--an empty wilderness that the mettlesome team swung across, and during the first few minutes the cold struck through the horses with a sting like the thrust of steel.
a track or mark left by something that has passed
From this reading Winter had lingered unusually long that year, and the prairie gleamed dimly white, with the sledge trail cutting athwart it, a smear of blue-gray in the foreground.
unusuallyadverbUS /əˈnjuːʒuːəli/
to a remarkable degree or extent
From this reading Winter had lingered unusually long that year, and the prairie gleamed dimly white, with the sledge trail cutting athwart it, a smear of blue-gray in the foreground.
usesnounUS /ˈjuːsəz/
plural of “use” — the act of using
From this reading Sleighs like the one that Hawtrey drove are not common on the prairie, where the farmer generally uses the humble bob-sled when the snow lies unusually long.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading SALLY TAKES CHARGE The night was clear and bitterly cold when Hawtrey and Sally Creighton drove away from Stukely's barn.
at the time that
From this reading SALLY TAKES CHARGE The night was clear and bitterly cold when Hawtrey and Sally Creighton drove away from Stukely's barn.
in or at the place that
From this reading Sleighs like the one that Hawtrey drove are not common on the prairie, where the farmer generally uses the humble bob-sled when the snow lies unusually long.
a Caucasian
From this reading Winter had lingered unusually long that year, and the prairie gleamed dimly white, with the sledge trail cutting athwart it, a smear of blue-gray in the foreground.
wildernessnounUS /ˈwɪldərnəs/
(politics) a state of disfavor
From this reading It was--for Lander's lay behind them with the snow among the stubble belts that engirdled it--an empty wilderness that the mettlesome team swung across, and during the first few minutes the cold struck through the horses with a sting like the thrust of steel.
the coldest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the winter solstice to the vernal equinox
From this reading Winter had lingered unusually long that year, and the prairie gleamed dimly white, with the sledge trail cutting athwart it, a smear of blue-gray in the foreground.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Winter had lingered unusually long that year, and the prairie gleamed dimly white, with the sledge trail cutting athwart it, a smear of blue-gray in the foreground.
a period of time containing 365 (or 366) days
From this reading Winter had lingered unusually long that year, and the prairie gleamed dimly white, with the sledge trail cutting athwart it, a smear of blue-gray in the foreground.