used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading When they ventured again to look toward the island the white figures had disappeared; but presently they heard, for the fourth time, the blood-chilling howling of the dog, which ended in a sinking, quavering wail that, to their overwrought imagination, resembled a dying moan of agony.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading The firelight shone on the snowy tent, and they could see their friends moving about.
from one side of something to the other
From this reading Not until they were approaching the camp and the cheerful fire which gleamed welcomingly across the water did they exchange further words.
anew
From this reading When they ventured again to look toward the island the white figures had disappeared; but presently they heard, for the fourth time, the blood-chilling howling of the dog, which ended in a sinking, quavering wail that, to their overwrought imagination, resembled a dying moan of agony.
Extreme physical or mental suffering; intense anguish.
From this reading When they ventured again to look toward the island the white figures had disappeared; but presently they heard, for the fourth time, the blood-chilling howling of the dog, which ended in a sinking, quavering wail that, to their overwrought imagination, resembled a dying moan of agony.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Not until they were approaching the camp and the cheerful fire which gleamed welcomingly across the water did they exchange further words.
the event of one object coming closer to another
From this reading Not until they were approaching the camp and the cheerful fire which gleamed welcomingly across the water did they exchange further words.
assertedadjectiveUS /əˈsɜːrtɪd/
confidently declared to be so
From this reading Then it was that Piper dogmatically asserted:
blood-chilling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When they ventured again to look toward the island the white figures had disappeared; but presently they heard, for the fourth time, the blood-chilling howling of the dog, which ended in a sinking, quavering wail that, to their overwrought imagination, resembled a dying moan of agony.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading When they ventured again to look toward the island the white figures had disappeared; but presently they heard, for the fourth time, the blood-chilling howling of the dog, which ended in a sinking, quavering wail that, to their overwrought imagination, resembled a dying moan of agony.
temporary living quarters specially built by the army for soldiers
From this reading Not until they were approaching the camp and the cheerful fire which gleamed welcomingly across the water did they exchange further words.
being full of or promoting cheer; having or showing good spirits
From this reading Not until they were approaching the camp and the cheerful fire which gleamed welcomingly across the water did they exchange further words.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading The firelight shone on the snowy tent, and they could see their friends moving about.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading Not until they were approaching the camp and the cheerful fire which gleamed welcomingly across the water did they exchange further words.
past form of “disappear” — get lost, as without warning or explanation
From this reading When they ventured again to look toward the island the white figures had disappeared; but presently they heard, for the fourth time, the blood-chilling howling of the dog, which ended in a sinking, quavering wail that, to their overwrought imagination, resembled a dying moan of agony.
a member of the genus Canis (probably descended from the common wolf) that has been domesticated by man since prehistoric times; occurs in many breeds
From this reading When they ventured again to look toward the island the white figures had disappeared; but presently they heard, for the fourth time, the blood-chilling howling of the dog, which ended in a sinking, quavering wail that, to their overwrought imagination, resembled a dying moan of agony.
dogmaticallyadverbUS /dɑːɡˈmætɪkli/
in a narrow-minded dogmatic manner
From this reading Then it was that Piper dogmatically asserted:
dyingadjectiveUS /ˈdaɪɪŋ/
in or associated with the process of passing from life or ceasing to be
From this reading When they ventured again to look toward the island the white figures had disappeared; but presently they heard, for the fourth time, the blood-chilling howling of the dog, which ended in a sinking, quavering wail that, to their overwrought imagination, resembled a dying moan of agony.
endedadjectiveUS /ˈendəd/
having come or been brought to a conclusion
From this reading When they ventured again to look toward the island the white figures had disappeared; but presently they heard, for the fourth time, the blood-chilling howling of the dog, which ended in a sinking, quavering wail that, to their overwrought imagination, resembled a dying moan of agony.
chemical process in which one atom or ion or group changes places with another
From this reading Not until they were approaching the camp and the cheerful fire which gleamed welcomingly across the water did they exchange further words.
plural of “figure” — a diagram or picture illustrating textual material
From this reading When they ventured again to look toward the island the white figures had disappeared; but presently they heard, for the fourth time, the blood-chilling howling of the dog, which ended in a sinking, quavering wail that, to their overwrought imagination, resembled a dying moan of agony.
start firing a weapon
From this reading Not until they were approaching the camp and the cheerful fire which gleamed welcomingly across the water did they exchange further words.
firelightnoun
the light of a fire (especially in a fireplace)
From this reading The firelight shone on the snowy tent, and they could see their friends moving about.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading When they ventured again to look toward the island the white figures had disappeared; but presently they heard, for the fourth time, the blood-chilling howling of the dog, which ended in a sinking, quavering wail that, to their overwrought imagination, resembled a dying moan of agony.
following the third position; number four in a countable series
From this reading When they ventured again to look toward the island the white figures had disappeared; but presently they heard, for the fourth time, the blood-chilling howling of the dog, which ended in a sinking, quavering wail that, to their overwrought imagination, resembled a dying moan of agony.
plural of “friend” — a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading The firelight shone on the snowy tent, and they could see their friends moving about.
to or at a greater extent or degree or a more advanced stage (“further” is used more often than “farther” in this abstract sense)
From this reading Not until they were approaching the camp and the cheerful fire which gleamed welcomingly across the water did they exchange further words.
gleamedverbUS /ɡliːmd/
past form of “gleam” — be shiny, as if wet
From this reading Not until they were approaching the camp and the cheerful fire which gleamed welcomingly across the water did they exchange further words.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading When they ventured again to look toward the island the white figures had disappeared; but presently they heard, for the fourth time, the blood-chilling howling of the dog, which ended in a sinking, quavering wail that, to their overwrought imagination, resembled a dying moan of agony.
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading When they ventured again to look toward the island the white figures had disappeared; but presently they heard, for the fourth time, the blood-chilling howling of the dog, which ended in a sinking, quavering wail that, to their overwrought imagination, resembled a dying moan of agony.
howlingnounUS /ˈhaʊlɪŋ/
a long loud emotional utterance
From this reading When they ventured again to look toward the island the white figures had disappeared; but presently they heard, for the fourth time, the blood-chilling howling of the dog, which ended in a sinking, quavering wail that, to their overwrought imagination, resembled a dying moan of agony.
the formation of a mental image of something that is not perceived as real and is not present to the senses
From this reading When they ventured again to look toward the island the white figures had disappeared; but presently they heard, for the fourth time, the blood-chilling howling of the dog, which ended in a sinking, quavering wail that, to their overwrought imagination, resembled a dying moan of agony.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading When they ventured again to look toward the island the white figures had disappeared; but presently they heard, for the fourth time, the blood-chilling howling of the dog, which ended in a sinking, quavering wail that, to their overwrought imagination, resembled a dying moan of agony.
a land mass (smaller than a continent) that is surrounded by water
From this reading When they ventured again to look toward the island the white figures had disappeared; but presently they heard, for the fourth time, the blood-chilling howling of the dog, which ended in a sinking, quavering wail that, to their overwrought imagination, resembled a dying moan of agony.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Then it was that Piper dogmatically asserted:
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading THE MYSTERIOUS LIGHT.
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading When they ventured again to look toward the island the white figures had disappeared; but presently they heard, for the fourth time, the blood-chilling howling of the dog, which ended in a sinking, quavering wail that, to their overwrought imagination, resembled a dying moan of agony.
moannounUS /moʊn/
an utterance expressing pain or disapproval
From this reading When they ventured again to look toward the island the white figures had disappeared; but presently they heard, for the fourth time, the blood-chilling howling of the dog, which ended in a sinking, quavering wail that, to their overwrought imagination, resembled a dying moan of agony.
in motion
From this reading The firelight shone on the snowy tent, and they could see their friends moving about.
of an obscure nature
From this reading THE MYSTERIOUS LIGHT.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Not until they were approaching the camp and the cheerful fire which gleamed welcomingly across the water did they exchange further words.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading When they ventured again to look toward the island the white figures had disappeared; but presently they heard, for the fourth time, the blood-chilling howling of the dog, which ended in a sinking, quavering wail that, to their overwrought imagination, resembled a dying moan of agony.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The firelight shone on the snowy tent, and they could see their friends moving about.
overwroughtadjectiveUS /ˌoʊvərˈrɔːt/
deeply agitated especially from emotion
From this reading When they ventured again to look toward the island the white figures had disappeared; but presently they heard, for the fourth time, the blood-chilling howling of the dog, which ended in a sinking, quavering wail that, to their overwrought imagination, resembled a dying moan of agony.
PipernounUS /ˈpaɪpər/
someone who plays the bagpipe
From this reading Then it was that Piper dogmatically asserted:
in the near future
From this reading When they ventured again to look toward the island the white figures had disappeared; but presently they heard, for the fourth time, the blood-chilling howling of the dog, which ended in a sinking, quavering wail that, to their overwrought imagination, resembled a dying moan of agony.
quaveringadjectiveUS /ˈkweɪvərɪŋ/
(of the voice) quivering as from weakness or fear
From this reading When they ventured again to look toward the island the white figures had disappeared; but presently they heard, for the fourth time, the blood-chilling howling of the dog, which ended in a sinking, quavering wail that, to their overwrought imagination, resembled a dying moan of agony.
resembledverbUS /rɪˈzembəld/
past form of “resemble” — appear like; be similar or bear a likeness to
From this reading When they ventured again to look toward the island the white figures had disappeared; but presently they heard, for the fourth time, the blood-chilling howling of the dog, which ended in a sinking, quavering wail that, to their overwrought imagination, resembled a dying moan of agony.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading The firelight shone on the snowy tent, and they could see their friends moving about.
inflected form of “shine” — be bright by reflecting or casting light
From this reading The firelight shone on the snowy tent, and they could see their friends moving about.
sinkingnounUS /ˈsɪŋkɪŋ/
a descent as through liquid (especially through water)
From this reading When they ventured again to look toward the island the white figures had disappeared; but presently they heard, for the fourth time, the blood-chilling howling of the dog, which ended in a sinking, quavering wail that, to their overwrought imagination, resembled a dying moan of agony.
snowyadjectiveUS /ˈsnoʊi/
marked by the presence of snow
From this reading The firelight shone on the snowy tent, and they could see their friends moving about.
a portable shelter (usually of canvas stretched over supporting poles and fastened to the ground with ropes and pegs)
From this reading The firelight shone on the snowy tent, and they could see their friends moving about.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading When they ventured again to look toward the island the white figures had disappeared; but presently they heard, for the fourth time, the blood-chilling howling of the dog, which ended in a sinking, quavering wail that, to their overwrought imagination, resembled a dying moan of agony.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE MYSTERIOUS LIGHT.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading When they ventured again to look toward the island the white figures had disappeared; but presently they heard, for the fourth time, the blood-chilling howling of the dog, which ended in a sinking, quavering wail that, to their overwrought imagination, resembled a dying moan of agony.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Then it was that Piper dogmatically asserted:
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading When they ventured again to look toward the island the white figures had disappeared; but presently they heard, for the fourth time, the blood-chilling howling of the dog, which ended in a sinking, quavering wail that, to their overwrought imagination, resembled a dying moan of agony.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading When they ventured again to look toward the island the white figures had disappeared; but presently they heard, for the fourth time, the blood-chilling howling of the dog, which ended in a sinking, quavering wail that, to their overwrought imagination, resembled a dying moan of agony.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading When they ventured again to look toward the island the white figures had disappeared; but presently they heard, for the fourth time, the blood-chilling howling of the dog, which ended in a sinking, quavering wail that, to their overwrought imagination, resembled a dying moan of agony.
towardprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrd/
in the direction of
From this reading When they ventured again to look toward the island the white figures had disappeared; but presently they heard, for the fourth time, the blood-chilling howling of the dog, which ended in a sinking, quavering wail that, to their overwrought imagination, resembled a dying moan of agony.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading Not until they were approaching the camp and the cheerful fire which gleamed welcomingly across the water did they exchange further words.
past form of “venture” — proceed somewhere despite the risk of possible dangers
From this reading When they ventured again to look toward the island the white figures had disappeared; but presently they heard, for the fourth time, the blood-chilling howling of the dog, which ended in a sinking, quavering wail that, to their overwrought imagination, resembled a dying moan of agony.
wailverbUS /weɪl/
emit long loud cries
From this reading When they ventured again to look toward the island the white figures had disappeared; but presently they heard, for the fourth time, the blood-chilling howling of the dog, which ended in a sinking, quavering wail that, to their overwrought imagination, resembled a dying moan of agony.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Then it was that Piper dogmatically asserted:
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 Not until they were approaching the camp and the cheerful fire which gleamed welcomingly across the water did they exchange further words.
welcomingly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Not until they were approaching the camp and the cheerful fire which gleamed welcomingly across the water did they exchange further words.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Not until they were approaching the camp and the cheerful fire which gleamed welcomingly across the water did they exchange further words.
at the time that
From this reading When they ventured again to look toward the island the white figures had disappeared; but presently they heard, for the fourth time, the blood-chilling howling of the dog, which ended in a sinking, quavering wail that, to their overwrought imagination, resembled a dying moan of agony.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading When they ventured again to look toward the island the white figures had disappeared; but presently they heard, for the fourth time, the blood-chilling howling of the dog, which ended in a sinking, quavering wail that, to their overwrought imagination, resembled a dying moan of agony.
a Caucasian
From this reading When they ventured again to look toward the island the white figures had disappeared; but presently they heard, for the fourth time, the blood-chilling howling of the dog, which ended in a sinking, quavering wail that, to their overwrought imagination, resembled a dying moan of agony.
the words that are spoken
From this reading Not until they were approaching the camp and the cheerful fire which gleamed welcomingly across the water did they exchange further words.
