used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A SUPPOSITION “Let us suppose ourselves, my friends, in the heart of a desert country, left to shift for ourselves, without any of the resources that come with civilization.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading To shelter ourselves from their attack, we have to choose between the refuge of a grotto, the mouth of which we close with fragments of rock rolled painfully into place, and the hollow trunk of an old tree, or, better, its large branches, if we can manage to climb up to them.”
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading To defend life and procure food are our constant great care.
plural of “animal” — a living organism characterized by voluntary movement
From this reading Around us extend endless dark woods where roar, howl, bellow a thousand ferocious animals that would tear us to pieces with their claws or quarter us with their horns if they took us by surprise.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading A SUPPOSITION “Let us suppose ourselves, my friends, in the heart of a desert country, left to shift for ourselves, without any of the resources that come with civilization.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading To defend life and procure food are our constant great care.
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading Around us extend endless dark woods where roar, howl, bellow a thousand ferocious animals that would tear us to pieces with their claws or quarter us with their horns if they took us by surprise.
(military) an offensive against an enemy (using weapons)
From this reading To shelter ourselves from their attack, we have to choose between the refuge of a grotto, the mouth of which we close with fragments of rock rolled painfully into place, and the hollow trunk of an old tree, or, better, its large branches, if we can manage to climb up to them.”
bellownounUS /ˈbeloʊ/
a very loud utterance (like the sound of an animal)
From this reading Around us extend endless dark woods where roar, howl, bellow a thousand ferocious animals that would tear us to pieces with their claws or quarter us with their horns if they took us by surprise.
(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another
From this reading To shelter ourselves from their attack, we have to choose between the refuge of a grotto, the mouth of which we close with fragments of rock rolled painfully into place, and the hollow trunk of an old tree, or, better, its large branches, if we can manage to climb up to them.”
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading To shelter ourselves from their attack, we have to choose between the refuge of a grotto, the mouth of which we close with fragments of rock rolled painfully into place, and the hollow trunk of an old tree, or, better, its large branches, if we can manage to climb up to them.”
plural of “branch” — a division of some larger or more complex organization
From this reading To shelter ourselves from their attack, we have to choose between the refuge of a grotto, the mouth of which we close with fragments of rock rolled painfully into place, and the hollow trunk of an old tree, or, better, its large branches, if we can manage to climb up to them.”
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Around us extend endless dark woods where roar, howl, bellow a thousand ferocious animals that would tear us to pieces with their claws or quarter us with their horns if they took us by surprise.
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading To shelter ourselves from their attack, we have to choose between the refuge of a grotto, the mouth of which we close with fragments of rock rolled painfully into place, and the hollow trunk of an old tree, or, better, its large branches, if we can manage to climb up to them.”
the work of providing treatment for or attending to someone or something
From this reading To defend life and procure food are our constant great care.
pick out, select, or choose from a number of alternatives
From this reading To shelter ourselves from their attack, we have to choose between the refuge of a grotto, the mouth of which we close with fragments of rock rolled painfully into place, and the hollow trunk of an old tree, or, better, its large branches, if we can manage to climb up to them.”
civilizationnounUS /ˌsɪvəlɪˈzeɪʃən/
a society in an advanced state of social development (e.g., with complex legal and political and religious organizations)
From this reading A SUPPOSITION “Let us suppose ourselves, my friends, in the heart of a desert country, left to shift for ourselves, without any of the resources that come with civilization.
clawsnounUS /klɔːz/
plural of “claw” — sharp curved horny process on the toe of a bird or some mammals or reptiles
From this reading Around us extend endless dark woods where roar, howl, bellow a thousand ferocious animals that would tear us to pieces with their claws or quarter us with their horns if they took us by surprise.
go upward with gradual or continuous progress
From this reading To shelter ourselves from their attack, we have to choose between the refuge of a grotto, the mouth of which we close with fragments of rock rolled painfully into place, and the hollow trunk of an old tree, or, better, its large branches, if we can manage to climb up to them.”
at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other
From this reading To shelter ourselves from their attack, we have to choose between the refuge of a grotto, the mouth of which we close with fragments of rock rolled painfully into place, and the hollow trunk of an old tree, or, better, its large branches, if we can manage to climb up to them.”
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading A SUPPOSITION “Let us suppose ourselves, my friends, in the heart of a desert country, left to shift for ourselves, without any of the resources that come with civilization.
unvarying in nature
From this reading To defend life and procure food are our constant great care.
a politically organized body of people under a single government
From this reading A SUPPOSITION “Let us suppose ourselves, my friends, in the heart of a desert country, left to shift for ourselves, without any of the resources that come with civilization.
Crusoe
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “It is the story of Robinson Crusoe on his Island,” Emile interrupted.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading Around us extend endless dark woods where roar, howl, bellow a thousand ferocious animals that would tear us to pieces with their claws or quarter us with their horns if they took us by surprise.
defendverbUS /dɪˈfend/
argue or speak in defense of
From this reading To defend life and procure food are our constant great care.
leave someone who needs or counts on you; leave in the lurch
From this reading A SUPPOSITION “Let us suppose ourselves, my friends, in the heart of a desert country, left to shift for ourselves, without any of the resources that come with civilization.
EmilenounUS /eɪˈmiːl/
the boy whose upbringing was described by Jean-Jacques Rousseau
From this reading “It is the story of Robinson Crusoe on his Island,” Emile interrupted.
endlessadjectiveUS /ˈendləs/
tiresomely long; seemingly without end
From this reading Around us extend endless dark woods where roar, howl, bellow a thousand ferocious animals that would tear us to pieces with their claws or quarter us with their horns if they took us by surprise.
extendverbUS /ɪkˈstend/
extend in scope or range or area
From this reading Around us extend endless dark woods where roar, howl, bellow a thousand ferocious animals that would tear us to pieces with their claws or quarter us with their horns if they took us by surprise.
ferociousadjectiveUS /fərˈoʊʃəs/
marked by extreme and violent energy
From this reading Around us extend endless dark woods where roar, howl, bellow a thousand ferocious animals that would tear us to pieces with their claws or quarter us with their horns if they took us by surprise.
any substance that can be metabolized by an animal to give energy and build tissue
From this reading To defend life and procure food are our constant great care.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading A SUPPOSITION “Let us suppose ourselves, my friends, in the heart of a desert country, left to shift for ourselves, without any of the resources that come with civilization.
fragmentsnounUS /ˈfræɡmənts/
plural of “fragment” — a piece broken off or cut off of something else
From this reading To shelter ourselves from their attack, we have to choose between the refuge of a grotto, the mouth of which we close with fragments of rock rolled painfully into place, and the hollow trunk of an old tree, or, better, its large branches, if we can manage to climb up to them.”
plural of “friend” — a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading A SUPPOSITION “Let us suppose ourselves, my friends, in the heart of a desert country, left to shift for ourselves, without any of the resources that come with civilization.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading To shelter ourselves from their attack, we have to choose between the refuge of a grotto, the mouth of which we close with fragments of rock rolled painfully into place, and the hollow trunk of an old tree, or, better, its large branches, if we can manage to climb up to them.”
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading To defend life and procure food are our constant great care.
grottonounUS /ˈɡrɑːtoʊ/
a small cave (usually with attractive features)
From this reading To shelter ourselves from their attack, we have to choose between the refuge of a grotto, the mouth of which we close with fragments of rock rolled painfully into place, and the hollow trunk of an old tree, or, better, its large branches, if we can manage to climb up to them.”
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading To shelter ourselves from their attack, we have to choose between the refuge of a grotto, the mouth of which we close with fragments of rock rolled painfully into place, and the hollow trunk of an old tree, or, better, its large branches, if we can manage to climb up to them.”
the locus of feelings and intuitions
From this reading A SUPPOSITION “Let us suppose ourselves, my friends, in the heart of a desert country, left to shift for ourselves, without any of the resources that come with civilization.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading “It is the story of Robinson Crusoe on his Island,” Emile interrupted.
not solid; having a space or gap or cavity
From this reading To shelter ourselves from their attack, we have to choose between the refuge of a grotto, the mouth of which we close with fragments of rock rolled painfully into place, and the hollow trunk of an old tree, or, better, its large branches, if we can manage to climb up to them.”
hornsnounUS /hɔːrnz/
plural of “horn” — a noisemaker (as at parties or games) that makes a loud noise when you blow through it
From this reading Around us extend endless dark woods where roar, howl, bellow a thousand ferocious animals that would tear us to pieces with their claws or quarter us with their horns if they took us by surprise.
howlverbUS /haʊl/
emit long loud cries
From this reading Around us extend endless dark woods where roar, howl, bellow a thousand ferocious animals that would tear us to pieces with their claws or quarter us with their horns if they took us by surprise.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading Around us extend endless dark woods where roar, howl, bellow a thousand ferocious animals that would tear us to pieces with their claws or quarter us with their horns if they took us by surprise.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading A SUPPOSITION “Let us suppose ourselves, my friends, in the heart of a desert country, left to shift for ourselves, without any of the resources that come with civilization.
discontinued temporarily
From this reading “It is the story of Robinson Crusoe on his Island,” Emile interrupted.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading To shelter ourselves from their attack, we have to choose between the refuge of a grotto, the mouth of which we close with fragments of rock rolled painfully into place, and the hollow trunk of an old tree, or, better, its large branches, if we can manage to climb up to them.”
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading “It is the story of Robinson Crusoe on his Island,” Emile interrupted.
a land mass (smaller than a continent) that is surrounded by water
From this reading “It is the story of Robinson Crusoe on his Island,” Emile interrupted.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading “It is the story of Robinson Crusoe on his Island,” Emile interrupted.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading To shelter ourselves from their attack, we have to choose between the refuge of a grotto, the mouth of which we close with fragments of rock rolled painfully into place, and the hollow trunk of an old tree, or, better, its large branches, if we can manage to climb up to them.”
largeadjectiveUS /lɑːrdʒ/
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading To shelter ourselves from their attack, we have to choose between the refuge of a grotto, the mouth of which we close with fragments of rock rolled painfully into place, and the hollow trunk of an old tree, or, better, its large branches, if we can manage to climb up to them.”
location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east
From this reading A SUPPOSITION “Let us suppose ourselves, my friends, in the heart of a desert country, left to shift for ourselves, without any of the resources that come with civilization.
Letauxiliary verbUS /let/
used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker
From this reading A SUPPOSITION “Let us suppose ourselves, my friends, in the heart of a desert country, left to shift for ourselves, without any of the resources that come with civilization.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading To defend life and procure food are our constant great care.
be successful; achieve a goal
From this reading To shelter ourselves from their attack, we have to choose between the refuge of a grotto, the mouth of which we close with fragments of rock rolled painfully into place, and the hollow trunk of an old tree, or, better, its large branches, if we can manage to climb up to them.”
the opening through which food is taken in and vocalizations emerge
From this reading To shelter ourselves from their attack, we have to choose between the refuge of a grotto, the mouth of which we close with fragments of rock rolled painfully into place, and the hollow trunk of an old tree, or, better, its large branches, if we can manage to climb up to them.”
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading A SUPPOSITION “Let us suppose ourselves, my friends, in the heart of a desert country, left to shift for ourselves, without any of the resources that come with civilization.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A SUPPOSITION “Let us suppose ourselves, my friends, in the heart of a desert country, left to shift for ourselves, without any of the resources that come with civilization.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading To shelter ourselves from their attack, we have to choose between the refuge of a grotto, the mouth of which we close with fragments of rock rolled painfully into place, and the hollow trunk of an old tree, or, better, its large branches, if we can manage to climb up to them.”
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading “It is the story of Robinson Crusoe on his Island,” Emile interrupted.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Around us extend endless dark woods where roar, howl, bellow a thousand ferocious animals that would tear us to pieces with their claws or quarter us with their horns if they took us by surprise.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading To defend life and procure food are our constant great care.
used when we are both doing the action and receiving it
From this reading A SUPPOSITION “Let us suppose ourselves, my friends, in the heart of a desert country, left to shift for ourselves, without any of the resources that come with civilization.
painfullyadverbUS /ˈpeɪnfəli/
unpleasantly
From this reading To shelter ourselves from their attack, we have to choose between the refuge of a grotto, the mouth of which we close with fragments of rock rolled painfully into place, and the hollow trunk of an old tree, or, better, its large branches, if we can manage to climb up to them.”
plural of “piece” — a separate part of a whole
From this reading Around us extend endless dark woods where roar, howl, bellow a thousand ferocious animals that would tear us to pieces with their claws or quarter us with their horns if they took us by surprise.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading To shelter ourselves from their attack, we have to choose between the refuge of a grotto, the mouth of which we close with fragments of rock rolled painfully into place, and the hollow trunk of an old tree, or, better, its large branches, if we can manage to climb up to them.”
procureverbUS /proʊˈkjʊr/
get by special effort
From this reading To defend life and procure food are our constant great care.
one of four equal parts
From this reading Around us extend endless dark woods where roar, howl, bellow a thousand ferocious animals that would tear us to pieces with their claws or quarter us with their horns if they took us by surprise.
refugenounUS /ˈrefjuːdʒ/
a safe place
From this reading To shelter ourselves from their attack, we have to choose between the refuge of a grotto, the mouth of which we close with fragments of rock rolled painfully into place, and the hollow trunk of an old tree, or, better, its large branches, if we can manage to climb up to them.”
resourcesnounUS /ˈriːsɔːrsɪz/
plural of “resource” — available source of wealth; a new or reserve supply that can be drawn upon when needed
From this reading A SUPPOSITION “Let us suppose ourselves, my friends, in the heart of a desert country, left to shift for ourselves, without any of the resources that come with civilization.
make a loud noise, as of wind, water, or vehicles
From this reading Around us extend endless dark woods where roar, howl, bellow a thousand ferocious animals that would tear us to pieces with their claws or quarter us with their horns if they took us by surprise.
RobinsonnounUS /ˈrɑːbənsən/
English chemist noted for his studies of molecular structures in plants (1886-1975)
From this reading “It is the story of Robinson Crusoe on his Island,” Emile interrupted.
a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter
From this reading To shelter ourselves from their attack, we have to choose between the refuge of a grotto, the mouth of which we close with fragments of rock rolled painfully into place, and the hollow trunk of an old tree, or, better, its large branches, if we can manage to climb up to them.”
especially of petals or leaves in bud; having margins rolled inward
From this reading To shelter ourselves from their attack, we have to choose between the refuge of a grotto, the mouth of which we close with fragments of rock rolled painfully into place, and the hollow trunk of an old tree, or, better, its large branches, if we can manage to climb up to them.”
a structure that provides privacy and protection from danger
From this reading To shelter ourselves from their attack, we have to choose between the refuge of a grotto, the mouth of which we close with fragments of rock rolled painfully into place, and the hollow trunk of an old tree, or, better, its large branches, if we can manage to climb up to them.”
shiftverbUS /ʃɪft/
make a shift in or exchange of
From this reading A SUPPOSITION “Let us suppose ourselves, my friends, in the heart of a desert country, left to shift for ourselves, without any of the resources that come with civilization.
a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program
From this reading “It is the story of Robinson Crusoe on his Island,” Emile interrupted.
express a supposition
From this reading A SUPPOSITION “Let us suppose ourselves, my friends, in the heart of a desert country, left to shift for ourselves, without any of the resources that come with civilization.
SUPPOSITIONnounUS /ˌsʌpəˈzɪʃən/
a message expressing an opinion based on incomplete evidence
From this reading A SUPPOSITION “Let us suppose ourselves, my friends, in the heart of a desert country, left to shift for ourselves, without any of the resources that come with civilization.
the astonishment you feel when something totally unexpected happens to you
From this reading Around us extend endless dark woods where roar, howl, bellow a thousand ferocious animals that would tear us to pieces with their claws or quarter us with their horns if they took us by surprise.
separate or cause to separate abruptly
From this reading Around us extend endless dark woods where roar, howl, bellow a thousand ferocious animals that would tear us to pieces with their claws or quarter us with their horns if they took us by surprise.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading A SUPPOSITION “Let us suppose ourselves, my friends, in the heart of a desert country, left to shift for ourselves, without any of the resources that come with civilization.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A SUPPOSITION “Let us suppose ourselves, my friends, in the heart of a desert country, left to shift for ourselves, without any of the resources that come with civilization.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Around us extend endless dark woods where roar, howl, bellow a thousand ferocious animals that would tear us to pieces with their claws or quarter us with their horns if they took us by surprise.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading To shelter ourselves from their attack, we have to choose between the refuge of a grotto, the mouth of which we close with fragments of rock rolled painfully into place, and the hollow trunk of an old tree, or, better, its large branches, if we can manage to climb up to them.”
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Around us extend endless dark woods where roar, howl, bellow a thousand ferocious animals that would tear us to pieces with their claws or quarter us with their horns if they took us by surprise.
the cardinal number that is the product of 10 and 100
From this reading Around us extend endless dark woods where roar, howl, bellow a thousand ferocious animals that would tear us to pieces with their claws or quarter us with their horns if they took us by surprise.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading A SUPPOSITION “Let us suppose ourselves, my friends, in the heart of a desert country, left to shift for ourselves, without any of the resources that come with civilization.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading Around us extend endless dark woods where roar, howl, bellow a thousand ferocious animals that would tear us to pieces with their claws or quarter us with their horns if they took us by surprise.
a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms
From this reading To shelter ourselves from their attack, we have to choose between the refuge of a grotto, the mouth of which we close with fragments of rock rolled painfully into place, and the hollow trunk of an old tree, or, better, its large branches, if we can manage to climb up to them.”
the main stem of a tree; usually covered with bark; the bole is usually the part that is commercially useful for lumber
From this reading To shelter ourselves from their attack, we have to choose between the refuge of a grotto, the mouth of which we close with fragments of rock rolled painfully into place, and the hollow trunk of an old tree, or, better, its large branches, if we can manage to climb up to them.”
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading To shelter ourselves from their attack, we have to choose between the refuge of a grotto, the mouth of which we close with fragments of rock rolled painfully into place, and the hollow trunk of an old tree, or, better, its large branches, if we can manage to climb up to them.”
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading A SUPPOSITION “Let us suppose ourselves, my friends, in the heart of a desert country, left to shift for ourselves, without any of the resources that come with civilization.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading To shelter ourselves from their attack, we have to choose between the refuge of a grotto, the mouth of which we close with fragments of rock rolled painfully into place, and the hollow trunk of an old tree, or, better, its large branches, if we can manage to climb up to them.”
in or at the place that
From this reading Around us extend endless dark woods where roar, howl, bellow a thousand ferocious animals that would tear us to pieces with their claws or quarter us with their horns if they took us by surprise.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading To shelter ourselves from their attack, we have to choose between the refuge of a grotto, the mouth of which we close with fragments of rock rolled painfully into place, and the hollow trunk of an old tree, or, better, its large branches, if we can manage to climb up to them.”
in the company of; together with
From this reading A SUPPOSITION “Let us suppose ourselves, my friends, in the heart of a desert country, left to shift for ourselves, without any of the resources that come with civilization.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading A SUPPOSITION “Let us suppose ourselves, my friends, in the heart of a desert country, left to shift for ourselves, without any of the resources that come with civilization.
the trees and other plants in a large densely wooded area
From this reading Around us extend endless dark woods where roar, howl, bellow a thousand ferocious animals that would tear us to pieces with their claws or quarter us with their horns if they took us by surprise.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Around us extend endless dark woods where roar, howl, bellow a thousand ferocious animals that would tear us to pieces with their claws or quarter us with their horns if they took us by surprise.
