used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading After adjusting the torch, Mac cut a birch sapling about eight feet long, and trimmed off the twigs.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading After adjusting the torch, Mac cut a birch sapling about eight feet long, and trimmed off the twigs.
adjustingverbUS /əˈdʒʌstɪŋ/
-ing form of “adjust” — alter or regulate so as to achieve accuracy or conform to a standard
From this reading After adjusting the torch, Mac cut a birch sapling about eight feet long, and trimmed off the twigs.
AfterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading After adjusting the torch, Mac cut a birch sapling about eight feet long, and trimmed off the twigs.
prior to a specified or implied time
From this reading As it had already become dark, and the shores were now black with the indistinct shadows of the spruces, Fred and Horace set the canoe gently into the water.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Here where deer were plentiful and hunters scarce, Mac's jack light should prove effective.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As it had already become dark, and the shores were now black with the indistinct shadows of the spruces, Fred and Horace set the canoe gently into the water.
enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading As it had already become dark, and the shores were now black with the indistinct shadows of the spruces, Fred and Horace set the canoe gently into the water.
BendingnounUS /ˈbendɪŋ/
movement that causes the formation of a curve
From this reading Bending it into a semicircle, he fitted the curve into the bottom of the canoe, close to the bow; then he hung the blanket by its corners upon the projecting tips of the sapling, and thus screened the bow from the rest of the canoe.
birchnounUS /bɜːrtʃ/
hard close-grained wood of any of various birch trees; used especially in furniture and interior finishes and plywood
From this reading After adjusting the torch, Mac cut a birch sapling about eight feet long, and trimmed off the twigs.
being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light
From this reading As it had already become dark, and the shores were now black with the indistinct shadows of the spruces, Fred and Horace set the canoe gently into the water.
blanketnounUS /ˈblæŋkət/
bedding that keeps a person warm in bed
From this reading Bending it into a semicircle, he fitted the curve into the bottom of the canoe, close to the bow; then he hung the blanket by its corners upon the projecting tips of the sapling, and thus screened the bow from the rest of the canoe.
the lower side of anything
From this reading Bending it into a semicircle, he fitted the curve into the bottom of the canoe, close to the bow; then he hung the blanket by its corners upon the projecting tips of the sapling, and thus screened the bow from the rest of the canoe.
a knot with two loops and loose ends; used to tie shoelaces
From this reading Bending it into a semicircle, he fitted the curve into the bottom of the canoe, close to the bow; then he hung the blanket by its corners upon the projecting tips of the sapling, and thus screened the bow from the rest of the canoe.
plural of “boy” — a youthful male person
From this reading Sportsmen and the law have quite properly united in condemning killing deer by jack light; but the boys felt that their need of food justified their course.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Sportsmen and the law have quite properly united in condemning killing deer by jack light; but the boys felt that their need of food justified their course.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Sportsmen and the law have quite properly united in condemning killing deer by jack light; but the boys felt that their need of food justified their course.
canoenounUS /kəˈnuː/
small and light boat; pointed at both ends; propelled with a paddle
From this reading Bending it into a semicircle, he fitted the curve into the bottom of the canoe, close to the bow; then he hung the blanket by its corners upon the projecting tips of the sapling, and thus screened the bow from the rest of the canoe.
at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other
From this reading Bending it into a semicircle, he fitted the curve into the bottom of the canoe, close to the bow; then he hung the blanket by its corners upon the projecting tips of the sapling, and thus screened the bow from the rest of the canoe.
condemningadjectiveUS /kənˈdemɪŋ/
containing or imposing condemnation or censure
From this reading Sportsmen and the law have quite properly united in condemning killing deer by jack light; but the boys felt that their need of food justified their course.
cornersnounUS /ˈkɔːrnərz/
plural of “corner” — a place off to the side of an area
From this reading Bending it into a semicircle, he fitted the curve into the bottom of the canoe, close to the bow; then he hung the blanket by its corners upon the projecting tips of the sapling, and thus screened the bow from the rest of the canoe.
education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings
From this reading Sportsmen and the law have quite properly united in condemning killing deer by jack light; but the boys felt that their need of food justified their course.
curvenounUS /kɜːrv/
the trace of a point whose direction of motion changes
From this reading Bending it into a semicircle, he fitted the curve into the bottom of the canoe, close to the bow; then he hung the blanket by its corners upon the projecting tips of the sapling, and thus screened the bow from the rest of the canoe.
separate with or as if with an instrument
From this reading After adjusting the torch, Mac cut a birch sapling about eight feet long, and trimmed off the twigs.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading As it had already become dark, and the shores were now black with the indistinct shadows of the spruces, Fred and Horace set the canoe gently into the water.
deernounUS /dɪr/
distinguished from Bovidae by the male's having solid deciduous antlers
From this reading Here where deer were plentiful and hunters scarce, Mac's jack light should prove effective.
effectiveadjectiveUS /ɪˈfektɪv/
producing or capable of producing an intended result or having a striking effect
From this reading Here where deer were plentiful and hunters scarce, Mac's jack light should prove effective.
being one more than seven
From this reading After adjusting the torch, Mac cut a birch sapling about eight feet long, and trimmed off the twigs.
plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading After adjusting the torch, Mac cut a birch sapling about eight feet long, and trimmed off the twigs.
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading Sportsmen and the law have quite properly united in condemning killing deer by jack light; but the boys felt that their need of food justified their course.
fittedadjectiveUS /ˈfɪtəd/
being the right size and shape to fit as desired
From this reading Bending it into a semicircle, he fitted the curve into the bottom of the canoe, close to the bow; then he hung the blanket by its corners upon the projecting tips of the sapling, and thus screened the bow from the rest of the canoe.
any substance that can be metabolized by an animal to give energy and build tissue
From this reading Sportsmen and the law have quite properly united in condemning killing deer by jack light; but the boys felt that their need of food justified their course.
Fred
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As it had already become dark, and the shores were now black with the indistinct shadows of the spruces, Fred and Horace set the canoe gently into the water.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Bending it into a semicircle, he fitted the curve into the bottom of the canoe, close to the bow; then he hung the blanket by its corners upon the projecting tips of the sapling, and thus screened the bow from the rest of the canoe.
in a gradual manner
From this reading As it had already become dark, and the shores were now black with the indistinct shadows of the spruces, Fred and Horace set the canoe gently into the water.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading As it had already become dark, and the shores were now black with the indistinct shadows of the spruces, Fred and Horace set the canoe gently into the water.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Sportsmen and the law have quite properly united in condemning killing deer by jack light; but the boys felt that their need of food justified their course.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Bending it into a semicircle, he fitted the curve into the bottom of the canoe, close to the bow; then he hung the blanket by its corners upon the projecting tips of the sapling, and thus screened the bow from the rest of the canoe.
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading Here where deer were plentiful and hunters scarce, Mac's jack light should prove effective.
HoracenounUS /ˈhɔːrəs/
Roman lyric poet said to have influenced English poetry (65-8 BC)
From this reading As it had already become dark, and the shores were now black with the indistinct shadows of the spruces, Fred and Horace set the canoe gently into the water.
inflected form of “hang” — be suspended or hanging
From this reading Bending it into a semicircle, he fitted the curve into the bottom of the canoe, close to the bow; then he hung the blanket by its corners upon the projecting tips of the sapling, and thus screened the bow from the rest of the canoe.
huntersnounUS /ˈhʌntərz/
plural of “hunter” — someone who hunts game
From this reading Here where deer were plentiful and hunters scarce, Mac's jack light should prove effective.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Sportsmen and the law have quite properly united in condemning killing deer by jack light; but the boys felt that their need of food justified their course.
indistinctadjectiveUS /ˌɪndɪˈstɪŋkt/
not clearly defined or easy to perceive or understand
From this reading As it had already become dark, and the shores were now black with the indistinct shadows of the spruces, Fred and Horace set the canoe gently into the water.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Bending it into a semicircle, he fitted the curve into the bottom of the canoe, close to the bow; then he hung the blanket by its corners upon the projecting tips of the sapling, and thus screened the bow from the rest of the canoe.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Bending it into a semicircle, he fitted the curve into the bottom of the canoe, close to the bow; then he hung the blanket by its corners upon the projecting tips of the sapling, and thus screened the bow from the rest of the canoe.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading Bending it into a semicircle, he fitted the curve into the bottom of the canoe, close to the bow; then he hung the blanket by its corners upon the projecting tips of the sapling, and thus screened the bow from the rest of the canoe.
a small worthless amount
From this reading Here where deer were plentiful and hunters scarce, Mac's jack light should prove effective.
justifiedadjectiveUS /ˈdʒʌstəfaɪd/
having words so spaced that lines have straight even margins
From this reading Sportsmen and the law have quite properly united in condemning killing deer by jack light; but the boys felt that their need of food justified their course.
killingnounUS /ˈkɪlɪŋ/
an event that causes someone to die
From this reading Sportsmen and the law have quite properly united in condemning killing deer by jack light; but the boys felt that their need of food justified their course.
the collection of rules imposed by authority
From this reading Sportsmen and the law have quite properly united in condemning killing deer by jack light; but the boys felt that their need of food justified their course.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading Here where deer were plentiful and hunters scarce, Mac's jack light should prove effective.
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 After adjusting the torch, Mac cut a birch sapling about eight feet long, and trimmed off the twigs.
MacnounUS /mæk/
a waterproof raincoat made of rubberized fabric
From this reading After adjusting the torch, Mac cut a birch sapling about eight feet long, and trimmed off the twigs.
Mac'snounUS /mæks/
possessive form of “mac” — a waterproof raincoat made of rubberized fabric
From this reading Here where deer were plentiful and hunters scarce, Mac's jack light should prove effective.
a condition requiring relief
From this reading Sportsmen and the law have quite properly united in condemning killing deer by jack light; but the boys felt that their need of food justified their course.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading As it had already become dark, and the shores were now black with the indistinct shadows of the spruces, Fred and Horace set the canoe gently into the water.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Sportsmen and the law have quite properly united in condemning killing deer by jack light; but the boys felt that their need of food justified their course.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading After adjusting the torch, Mac cut a birch sapling about eight feet long, and trimmed off the twigs.
plentifuladjectiveUS /ˈplentəfəl/
existing in great number or quantity
From this reading Here where deer were plentiful and hunters scarce, Mac's jack light should prove effective.
projectingadjectiveUS /prəˈdʒektɪŋ/
extending out above or beyond a surface or boundary
From this reading Bending it into a semicircle, he fitted the curve into the bottom of the canoe, close to the bow; then he hung the blanket by its corners upon the projecting tips of the sapling, and thus screened the bow from the rest of the canoe.
in the right manner; correctly; suitably
From this reading Sportsmen and the law have quite properly united in condemning killing deer by jack light; but the boys felt that their need of food justified their course.
be shown or be found to be
From this reading Here where deer were plentiful and hunters scarce, Mac's jack light should prove effective.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading Sportsmen and the law have quite properly united in condemning killing deer by jack light; but the boys felt that their need of food justified their course.
not move; be in a resting position
From this reading Bending it into a semicircle, he fitted the curve into the bottom of the canoe, close to the bow; then he hung the blanket by its corners upon the projecting tips of the sapling, and thus screened the bow from the rest of the canoe.
saplingnounUS /ˈsæplɪŋ/
young tree
From this reading After adjusting the torch, Mac cut a birch sapling about eight feet long, and trimmed off the twigs.
only a very short time before
From this reading Here where deer were plentiful and hunters scarce, Mac's jack light should prove effective.
screenedverbUS /skriːnd/
past form of “screen” — test or examine for the presence of disease or infection
From this reading Bending it into a semicircle, he fitted the curve into the bottom of the canoe, close to the bow; then he hung the blanket by its corners upon the projecting tips of the sapling, and thus screened the bow from the rest of the canoe.
semicirclenoun
a plane figure with the shape of half a circle
From this reading Bending it into a semicircle, he fitted the curve into the bottom of the canoe, close to the bow; then he hung the blanket by its corners upon the projecting tips of the sapling, and thus screened the bow from the rest of the canoe.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading As it had already become dark, and the shores were now black with the indistinct shadows of the spruces, Fred and Horace set the canoe gently into the water.
plural of “shadow” — shade within clear boundaries
From this reading As it had already become dark, and the shores were now black with the indistinct shadows of the spruces, Fred and Horace set the canoe gently into the water.
shoresnounUS /ʃɔːrz/
plural of “shore” — the land along the edge of a body of water
From this reading As it had already become dark, and the shores were now black with the indistinct shadows of the spruces, Fred and Horace set the canoe gently into the water.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading Here where deer were plentiful and hunters scarce, Mac's jack light should prove effective.
SportsmennounUS /ˈspɔːrtsmɪn/
plural of “sportsman” — someone who engages in sports
From this reading Sportsmen and the law have quite properly united in condemning killing deer by jack light; but the boys felt that their need of food justified their course.
spruces
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As it had already become dark, and the shores were now black with the indistinct shadows of the spruces, Fred and Horace set the canoe gently into the water.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Sportsmen and the law have quite properly united in condemning killing deer by jack light; but the boys felt that their need of food justified their course.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Sportsmen and the law have quite properly united in condemning killing deer by jack light; but the boys felt that their need of food justified their course.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Sportsmen and the law have quite properly united in condemning killing deer by jack light; but the boys felt that their need of food justified their course.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Bending it into a semicircle, he fitted the curve into the bottom of the canoe, close to the bow; then he hung the blanket by its corners upon the projecting tips of the sapling, and thus screened the bow from the rest of the canoe.
(used to introduce a logical conclusion) from that fact or reason or as a result
From this reading Bending it into a semicircle, he fitted the curve into the bottom of the canoe, close to the bow; then he hung the blanket by its corners upon the projecting tips of the sapling, and thus screened the bow from the rest of the canoe.
tipsnounUS /tɪps/
plural of “tip” — the extreme end of something; especially something pointed
From this reading Bending it into a semicircle, he fitted the curve into the bottom of the canoe, close to the bow; then he hung the blanket by its corners upon the projecting tips of the sapling, and thus screened the bow from the rest of the canoe.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Bending it into a semicircle, he fitted the curve into the bottom of the canoe, close to the bow; then he hung the blanket by its corners upon the projecting tips of the sapling, and thus screened the bow from the rest of the canoe.
torchnounUS /tɔːrtʃ/
a light usually carried in the hand; consists of some flammable substance
From this reading After adjusting the torch, Mac cut a birch sapling about eight feet long, and trimmed off the twigs.
trimmedadjectiveUS /trɪmd/
made neat and tidy by trimming
From this reading After adjusting the torch, Mac cut a birch sapling about eight feet long, and trimmed off the twigs.
twigsnounUS /twɪɡz/
plural of “twig” — a small branch or division of a branch (especially a terminal division); usually applied to branches of the current or preceding year
From this reading After adjusting the torch, Mac cut a birch sapling about eight feet long, and trimmed off the twigs.
unitedadjectiveUS /juːˈnaɪtɪd/
characterized by unity; being or joined into a single entity
From this reading Sportsmen and the law have quite properly united in condemning killing deer by jack light; but the boys felt that their need of food justified their course.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Bending it into a semicircle, he fitted the curve into the bottom of the canoe, close to the bow; then he hung the blanket by its corners upon the projecting tips of the sapling, and thus screened the bow from the rest of the canoe.
binary compound that occurs at room temperature as a clear colorless odorless tasteless liquid; freezes into ice below 0 degrees centigrade and boils above 100 degrees centigrade; widely used as a solvent
From this reading As it had already become dark, and the shores were now black with the indistinct shadows of the spruces, Fred and Horace set the canoe gently into the water.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Here where deer were plentiful and hunters scarce, Mac's jack light should prove effective.
in or at the place that
From this reading Here where deer were plentiful and hunters scarce, Mac's jack light should prove effective.
in the company of; together with
From this reading As it had already become dark, and the shores were now black with the indistinct shadows of the spruces, Fred and Horace set the canoe gently into the water.
