used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The bent outer case of the watch littered a bare patch on the log; its mainspring had gone the way of the fragments of the gun-metal match safe which were lying all about, each a worn-down, twisted wisp of metal.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading The bent outer case of the watch littered a bare patch on the log; its mainspring had gone the way of the fragments of the gun-metal match safe which were lying all about, each a worn-down, twisted wisp of metal.
the part of the day between noon and evening
From this reading * * * * * Late in the afternoon Mr. Trimm lay back against the bank, panting.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading * * * * * Late in the afternoon Mr. Trimm lay back against the bank, panting.
in the past
From this reading The spring of the eyeglasses had been confiscated long ago and the broken crystals powdered the earth where Mr. Trimm's toes had scraped a smooth patch.
(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 The bent outer case of the watch littered a bare patch on the log; its mainspring had gone the way of the fragments of the gun-metal match safe which were lying all about, each a worn-down, twisted wisp of metal.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading His face was splotched with red, and the little hollows at the sides of his forehead pulsed rapidly up and down like the bellies of scared tree frogs.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading His face was splotched with red, and the little hollows at the sides of his forehead pulsed rapidly up and down like the bellies of scared tree frogs.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading * * * * * Late in the afternoon Mr. Trimm lay back against the bank, panting.
sloping land (especially the slope beside a body of water)
From this reading * * * * * Late in the afternoon Mr. Trimm lay back against the bank, panting.
completely unclothed
From this reading The bent outer case of the watch littered a bare patch on the log; its mainspring had gone the way of the fragments of the gun-metal match safe which were lying all about, each a worn-down, twisted wisp of metal.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The spring of the eyeglasses had been confiscated long ago and the broken crystals powdered the earth where Mr. Trimm's toes had scraped a smooth patch.
belliesnounUS /ˈbeliz/
plural of “belly” — the region of the body of a vertebrate between the thorax and the pelvis
From this reading His face was splotched with red, and the little hollows at the sides of his forehead pulsed rapidly up and down like the bellies of scared tree frogs.
a relatively permanent inclination to react in a particular way
From this reading The bent outer case of the watch littered a bare patch on the log; its mainspring had gone the way of the fragments of the gun-metal match safe which were lying all about, each a worn-down, twisted wisp of metal.
physically and forcibly separated into pieces or cracked or split
From this reading The spring of the eyeglasses had been confiscated long ago and the broken crystals powdered the earth where Mr. Trimm's toes had scraped a smooth patch.
an occurrence of something
From this reading The bent outer case of the watch littered a bare patch on the log; its mainspring had gone the way of the fragments of the gun-metal match safe which were lying all about, each a worn-down, twisted wisp of metal.
confiscatedverbUS /ˈkɑːnfəskeɪtəd/
past form of “confiscate” — take temporary possession of as a security, by legal authority
From this reading The spring of the eyeglasses had been confiscated long ago and the broken crystals powdered the earth where Mr. Trimm's toes had scraped a smooth patch.
crystalsnounUS /ˈkrɪstəlz/
plural of “crystal” — a solid formed by the solidification of a chemical and having a highly regular atomic structure
From this reading The spring of the eyeglasses had been confiscated long ago and the broken crystals powdered the earth where Mr. Trimm's toes had scraped a smooth patch.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading His face was splotched with red, and the little hollows at the sides of his forehead pulsed rapidly up and down like the bellies of scared tree frogs.
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading The bent outer case of the watch littered a bare patch on the log; its mainspring had gone the way of the fragments of the gun-metal match safe which were lying all about, each a worn-down, twisted wisp of metal.
the 3rd planet from the sun; the planet we live on
From this reading The spring of the eyeglasses had been confiscated long ago and the broken crystals powdered the earth where Mr. Trimm's toes had scraped a smooth patch.
eyeglassesnounUS /ˈaɪɡlæsəz/
(plural) optical instrument consisting of a frame that holds a pair of lenses for correcting defective vision
From this reading The spring of the eyeglasses had been confiscated long ago and the broken crystals powdered the earth where Mr. Trimm's toes had scraped a smooth patch.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading His face was splotched with red, and the little hollows at the sides of his forehead pulsed rapidly up and down like the bellies of scared tree frogs.
plural of “finger” — any of the terminal members of the hand (sometimes excepting the thumb)
From this reading The nails of the two little fingers were worn to the quick and splintered down into the raw flesh.
the soft tissue of the body of a vertebrate: mainly muscle tissue and fat
From this reading The nails of the two little fingers were worn to the quick and splintered down into the raw flesh.
the part of the face above the eyes
From this reading His face was splotched with red, and the little hollows at the sides of his forehead pulsed rapidly up and down like the bellies of scared tree frogs.
fragmentsnounUS /ˈfræɡmənts/
plural of “fragment” — a piece broken off or cut off of something else
From this reading The bent outer case of the watch littered a bare patch on the log; its mainspring had gone the way of the fragments of the gun-metal match safe which were lying all about, each a worn-down, twisted wisp of metal.
frogsnounUS /frɑːɡz/
plural of “frog” — any of various tailless stout-bodied amphibians with long hind limbs for leaping; semiaquatic and terrestrial species
From this reading His face was splotched with red, and the little hollows at the sides of his forehead pulsed rapidly up and down like the bellies of scared tree frogs.
destroyed or killed
From this reading The bent outer case of the watch littered a bare patch on the log; its mainspring had gone the way of the fragments of the gun-metal match safe which were lying all about, each a worn-down, twisted wisp of metal.
gun-metal
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The bent outer case of the watch littered a bare patch on the log; its mainspring had gone the way of the fragments of the gun-metal match safe which were lying all about, each a worn-down, twisted wisp of metal.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The bent outer case of the watch littered a bare patch on the log; its mainspring had gone the way of the fragments of the gun-metal match safe which were lying all about, each a worn-down, twisted wisp of metal.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading His face was splotched with red, and the little hollows at the sides of his forehead pulsed rapidly up and down like the bellies of scared tree frogs.
hollowsnounUS /ˈhɑːloʊz/
plural of “hollow” — a cavity or space in something
From this reading His face was splotched with red, and the little hollows at the sides of his forehead pulsed rapidly up and down like the bellies of scared tree frogs.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading * * * * * Late in the afternoon Mr. Trimm lay back against the bank, panting.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading The nails of the two little fingers were worn to the quick and splintered down into the raw flesh.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading The bent outer case of the watch littered a bare patch on the log; its mainspring had gone the way of the fragments of the gun-metal match safe which were lying all about, each a worn-down, twisted wisp of metal.
being or occurring at an advanced period of time or after a usual or expected time
From this reading * * * * * Late in the afternoon Mr. Trimm lay back against the bank, panting.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading * * * * * Late in the afternoon Mr. Trimm lay back against the bank, panting.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading His face was splotched with red, and the little hollows at the sides of his forehead pulsed rapidly up and down like the bellies of scared tree frogs.
litteredadjectiveUS /ˈlɪtərd/
filled or scattered with a disorderly accumulation of objects or rubbish
From this reading The bent outer case of the watch littered a bare patch on the log; its mainspring had gone the way of the fragments of the gun-metal match safe which were lying all about, each a worn-down, twisted wisp of metal.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading His face was splotched with red, and the little hollows at the sides of his forehead pulsed rapidly up and down like the bellies of scared tree frogs.
logverbUS /lɔːɡ/
enter into a log, as on ships and planes
From this reading The bent outer case of the watch littered a bare patch on the log; its mainspring had gone the way of the fragments of the gun-metal match safe which were lying all about, each a worn-down, twisted wisp of metal.
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 The spring of the eyeglasses had been confiscated long ago and the broken crystals powdered the earth where Mr. Trimm's toes had scraped a smooth patch.
the deliberate act of deviating from the truth
From this reading The bent outer case of the watch littered a bare patch on the log; its mainspring had gone the way of the fragments of the gun-metal match safe which were lying all about, each a worn-down, twisted wisp of metal.
mainspringnoun
the most important spring in a mechanical device (especially a clock or watch); as it uncoils it drives the mechanism
From this reading The bent outer case of the watch littered a bare patch on the log; its mainspring had gone the way of the fragments of the gun-metal match safe which were lying all about, each a worn-down, twisted wisp of metal.
be compatible, similar or consistent; coincide in their characteristics
From this reading The bent outer case of the watch littered a bare patch on the log; its mainspring had gone the way of the fragments of the gun-metal match safe which were lying all about, each a worn-down, twisted wisp of metal.
metalnounUS /ˈmetəl/
any of several chemical elements that are usually shiny solids that conduct heat or electricity and can be formed into sheets etc.
From this reading The bent outer case of the watch littered a bare patch on the log; its mainspring had gone the way of the fragments of the gun-metal match safe which were lying all about, each a worn-down, twisted wisp of metal.
a form of address for a man
From this reading * * * * * Late in the afternoon Mr. Trimm lay back against the bank, panting.
nailsnounUS /neɪlz/
plural of “nail” — horny plate covering and protecting part of the dorsal surface of the digits
From this reading The nails of the two little fingers were worn to the quick and splintered down into the raw flesh.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading His face was splotched with red, and the little hollows at the sides of his forehead pulsed rapidly up and down like the bellies of scared tree frogs.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The bent outer case of the watch littered a bare patch on the log; its mainspring had gone the way of the fragments of the gun-metal match safe which were lying all about, each a worn-down, twisted wisp of metal.
outeradjectiveUS /ˈaʊtər/
being on the outside or further from a center
From this reading The bent outer case of the watch littered a bare patch on the log; its mainspring had gone the way of the fragments of the gun-metal match safe which were lying all about, each a worn-down, twisted wisp of metal.
pantingnounUS /ˈpæntɪŋ/
breathing heavily (as after exertion)
From this reading * * * * * Late in the afternoon Mr. Trimm lay back against the bank, panting.
patchnounUS /pætʃ/
a small contrasting part of something
From this reading The bent outer case of the watch littered a bare patch on the log; its mainspring had gone the way of the fragments of the gun-metal match safe which were lying all about, each a worn-down, twisted wisp of metal.
powderedadjectiveUS /ˈpaʊdərd/
consisting of fine particles
From this reading The spring of the eyeglasses had been confiscated long ago and the broken crystals powdered the earth where Mr. Trimm's toes had scraped a smooth patch.
pulsedverbUS /pʌlst/
past form of “pulse” — expand and contract rhythmically; beat rhythmically
From this reading His face was splotched with red, and the little hollows at the sides of his forehead pulsed rapidly up and down like the bellies of scared tree frogs.
accomplished rapidly and without delay
From this reading The nails of the two little fingers were worn to the quick and splintered down into the raw flesh.
with speed
From this reading His face was splotched with red, and the little hollows at the sides of his forehead pulsed rapidly up and down like the bellies of scared tree frogs.
rawadjectiveUS /rɑː/
(used especially of commodities) being unprocessed or manufactured using only simple or minimal processes
From this reading The nails of the two little fingers were worn to the quick and splintered down into the raw flesh.
red color or pigment; the chromatic color resembling the hue of blood
From this reading His face was splotched with red, and the little hollows at the sides of his forehead pulsed rapidly up and down like the bellies of scared tree frogs.
free from danger or the risk of harm
From this reading The bent outer case of the watch littered a bare patch on the log; its mainspring had gone the way of the fragments of the gun-metal match safe which were lying all about, each a worn-down, twisted wisp of metal.
scaredadjectiveUS /skerd/
made afraid
From this reading His face was splotched with red, and the little hollows at the sides of his forehead pulsed rapidly up and down like the bellies of scared tree frogs.
scrapedverbUS /skreɪpt/
past form of “scrape” — scratch repeatedly
From this reading The spring of the eyeglasses had been confiscated long ago and the broken crystals powdered the earth where Mr. Trimm's toes had scraped a smooth patch.
plural of “side” — a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading His face was splotched with red, and the little hollows at the sides of his forehead pulsed rapidly up and down like the bellies of scared tree frogs.
having a surface free from roughness or bumps or ridges or irregularities
From this reading The spring of the eyeglasses had been confiscated long ago and the broken crystals powdered the earth where Mr. Trimm's toes had scraped a smooth patch.
splinteredverbUS /ˈsplɪntərd/
past form of “splinter” — withdraw from an organization or communion
From this reading The nails of the two little fingers were worn to the quick and splintered down into the raw flesh.
splotchedadjective
marked with irregularly shaped spots or blots
From this reading His face was splotched with red, and the little hollows at the sides of his forehead pulsed rapidly up and down like the bellies of scared tree frogs.
the season of growth
From this reading The spring of the eyeglasses had been confiscated long ago and the broken crystals powdered the earth where Mr. Trimm's toes had scraped a smooth patch.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading * * * * * Late in the afternoon Mr. Trimm lay back against the bank, panting.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The nails of the two little fingers were worn to the quick and splintered down into the raw flesh.
toesnounUS /toʊz/
plural of “toe” — one of the digits of the foot
From this reading The spring of the eyeglasses had been confiscated long ago and the broken crystals powdered the earth where Mr. Trimm's toes had scraped a smooth patch.
a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms
From this reading His face was splotched with red, and the little hollows at the sides of his forehead pulsed rapidly up and down like the bellies of scared tree frogs.
Trimm
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading * * * * * Late in the afternoon Mr. Trimm lay back against the bank, panting.
Trimm's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The spring of the eyeglasses had been confiscated long ago and the broken crystals powdered the earth where Mr. Trimm's toes had scraped a smooth patch.
twistedadjectiveUS /ˈtwɪstɪd/
having an intended meaning altered or misrepresented
From this reading The bent outer case of the watch littered a bare patch on the log; its mainspring had gone the way of the fragments of the gun-metal match safe which were lying all about, each a worn-down, twisted wisp of metal.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading The nails of the two little fingers were worn to the quick and splintered down into the raw flesh.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading His face was splotched with red, and the little hollows at the sides of his forehead pulsed rapidly up and down like the bellies of scared tree frogs.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading His face was splotched with red, and the little hollows at the sides of his forehead pulsed rapidly up and down like the bellies of scared tree frogs.
look attentively
From this reading The bent outer case of the watch littered a bare patch on the log; its mainspring had gone the way of the fragments of the gun-metal match safe which were lying all about, each a worn-down, twisted wisp of metal.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading The bent outer case of the watch littered a bare patch on the log; its mainspring had gone the way of the fragments of the gun-metal match safe which were lying all about, each a worn-down, twisted wisp of metal.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The bent outer case of the watch littered a bare patch on the log; its mainspring had gone the way of the fragments of the gun-metal match safe which were lying all about, each a worn-down, twisted wisp of metal.
in or at the place that
From this reading The spring of the eyeglasses had been confiscated long ago and the broken crystals powdered the earth where Mr. Trimm's toes had scraped a smooth patch.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The bent outer case of the watch littered a bare patch on the log; its mainspring had gone the way of the fragments of the gun-metal match safe which were lying all about, each a worn-down, twisted wisp of metal.
wispnounUS /wɪsp/
a small tuft or lock
From this reading The bent outer case of the watch littered a bare patch on the log; its mainspring had gone the way of the fragments of the gun-metal match safe which were lying all about, each a worn-down, twisted wisp of metal.
in the company of; together with
From this reading His face was splotched with red, and the little hollows at the sides of his forehead pulsed rapidly up and down like the bellies of scared tree frogs.
Damaged or thinned by continuous use.
From this reading The nails of the two little fingers were worn to the quick and splintered down into the raw flesh.
worn-down
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The bent outer case of the watch littered a bare patch on the log; its mainspring had gone the way of the fragments of the gun-metal match safe which were lying all about, each a worn-down, twisted wisp of metal.
