used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading He had eaten a very bad supper and imagined the wooden hotel on the North trail was perhaps the worst at which he had stopped.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading The floor was torn by lumbermen's spiked boots; burned matches and the ends of cheap cigars lay about.
aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading A door opened on a passage where a small, wet towel hung above a row of tin basins filled with dirty water.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading ON THE TRAIL Heavy rain swept the valley, the evening was cold, and Jim stood near the big rusty stove at Tillicum House, drying his wet clothes.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading ON THE TRAIL Heavy rain swept the valley, the evening was cold, and Jim stood near the big rusty stove at Tillicum House, drying his wet clothes.
having undesirable or negative qualities
From this reading He had eaten a very bad supper and imagined the wooden hotel on the North trail was perhaps the worst at which he had stopped.
basinsnounUS /ˈbeɪsənz/
plural of “basin” — a bowl-shaped vessel; usually used for holding food or liquids
From this reading A door opened on a passage where a small, wet towel hung above a row of tin basins filled with dirty water.
bendverbUS /bend/
form a curve
From this reading The board walls were cracked and stained by resin and drops of tarry liquid fell from the bend where the stove pipe went through the ceiling.
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading ON THE TRAIL Heavy rain swept the valley, the evening was cold, and Jim stood near the big rusty stove at Tillicum House, drying his wet clothes.
a committee having supervisory powers
From this reading The board walls were cracked and stained by resin and drops of tarry liquid fell from the bend where the stove pipe went through the ceiling.
plural of “boot” — footwear that covers the whole foot and lower leg
From this reading The floor was torn by lumbermen's spiked boots; burned matches and the ends of cheap cigars lay about.
treated by heating to a high temperature but below the melting or fusing point
From this reading The floor was torn by lumbermen's spiked boots; burned matches and the ends of cheap cigars lay about.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The floor was torn by lumbermen's spiked boots; burned matches and the ends of cheap cigars lay about.
ceilingnounUS /ˈsiːlɪŋ/
the overhead upper surface of a covered space
From this reading The board walls were cracked and stained by resin and drops of tarry liquid fell from the bend where the stove pipe went through the ceiling.
cheapadjectiveUS /tʃiːp/
relatively low in price or charging low prices
From this reading The floor was torn by lumbermen's spiked boots; burned matches and the ends of cheap cigars lay about.
cigarsnounUS /sɪˈɡɑːrz/
plural of “cigar” — a roll of tobacco for smoking
From this reading The floor was torn by lumbermen's spiked boots; burned matches and the ends of cheap cigars lay about.
clothing in general
From this reading ON THE TRAIL Heavy rain swept the valley, the evening was cold, and Jim stood near the big rusty stove at Tillicum House, drying his wet clothes.
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 ON THE TRAIL Heavy rain swept the valley, the evening was cold, and Jim stood near the big rusty stove at Tillicum House, drying his wet clothes.
crackedadjectiveUS /krækt/
used of skin roughened as a result of cold or exposure
From this reading The board walls were cracked and stained by resin and drops of tarry liquid fell from the bend where the stove pipe went through the ceiling.
dirtyadjectiveUS /ˈdɜːrti/
soiled or likely to soil with dirt or grime
From this reading A door opened on a passage where a small, wet towel hung above a row of tin basins filled with dirty water.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading A door opened on a passage where a small, wet towel hung above a row of tin basins filled with dirty water.
dropsnounUS /drɑːps/
plural of “drop” — a shape that is spherical and small
From this reading The board walls were cracked and stained by resin and drops of tarry liquid fell from the bend where the stove pipe went through the ceiling.
dryingverbUS /ˈdraɪɪŋ/
-ing form of “dry” — remove the moisture from and make dry
From this reading ON THE TRAIL Heavy rain swept the valley, the evening was cold, and Jim stood near the big rusty stove at Tillicum House, drying his wet clothes.
inflected form of “eat” — take in solid food
From this reading He had eaten a very bad supper and imagined the wooden hotel on the North trail was perhaps the worst at which he had stopped.
plural of “end” — either extremity of something that has length
From this reading The floor was torn by lumbermen's spiked boots; burned matches and the ends of cheap cigars lay about.
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading ON THE TRAIL Heavy rain swept the valley, the evening was cold, and Jim stood near the big rusty stove at Tillicum House, drying his wet clothes.
cause to fall by or as if by delivering a blow
From this reading The board walls were cracked and stained by resin and drops of tarry liquid fell from the bend where the stove pipe went through the ceiling.
(usually followed by “with” or used as a combining form) generously supplied with
From this reading A door opened on a passage where a small, wet towel hung above a row of tin basins filled with dirty water.
the inside lower horizontal surface (as of a room, hallway, tent, or other structure)
From this reading The floor was torn by lumbermen's spiked boots; burned matches and the ends of cheap cigars lay about.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The board walls were cracked and stained by resin and drops of tarry liquid fell from the bend where the stove pipe went through the ceiling.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He had eaten a very bad supper and imagined the wooden hotel on the North trail was perhaps the worst at which he had stopped.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He had eaten a very bad supper and imagined the wooden hotel on the North trail was perhaps the worst at which he had stopped.
of comparatively great physical weight or density
From this reading ON THE TRAIL Heavy rain swept the valley, the evening was cold, and Jim stood near the big rusty stove at Tillicum House, drying his wet clothes.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading ON THE TRAIL Heavy rain swept the valley, the evening was cold, and Jim stood near the big rusty stove at Tillicum House, drying his wet clothes.
a building where travelers can pay for lodging and meals and other services
From this reading He had eaten a very bad supper and imagined the wooden hotel on the North trail was perhaps the worst at which he had stopped.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading ON THE TRAIL Heavy rain swept the valley, the evening was cold, and Jim stood near the big rusty stove at Tillicum House, drying his wet clothes.
inflected form of “hang” — be suspended or hanging
From this reading A door opened on a passage where a small, wet towel hung above a row of tin basins filled with dirty water.
past form of “imagine” — form a mental image of something that is not present or that is not the case
From this reading He had eaten a very bad supper and imagined the wooden hotel on the North trail was perhaps the worst at which he had stopped.
Jim
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ON THE TRAIL Heavy rain swept the valley, the evening was cold, and Jim stood near the big rusty stove at Tillicum House, drying his wet clothes.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading The floor was torn by lumbermen's spiked boots; burned matches and the ends of cheap cigars lay about.
liquidadjectiveUS /ˈlɪkwəd/
existing as or having characteristics of a liquid; especially tending to flow
From this reading The board walls were cracked and stained by resin and drops of tarry liquid fell from the bend where the stove pipe went through the ceiling.
lumbermen's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The floor was torn by lumbermen's spiked boots; burned matches and the ends of cheap cigars lay about.
matchesnounUS /ˈmætʃəz/
plural of “match” — lighter consisting of a thin piece of wood or cardboard tipped with combustible chemical; ignites with friction
From this reading The floor was torn by lumbermen's spiked boots; burned matches and the ends of cheap cigars lay about.
near in time or place or relationship
From this reading ON THE TRAIL Heavy rain swept the valley, the evening was cold, and Jim stood near the big rusty stove at Tillicum House, drying his wet clothes.
the region of the United States lying to the north of the Mason-Dixon line
From this reading He had eaten a very bad supper and imagined the wooden hotel on the North trail was perhaps the worst at which he had stopped.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The floor was torn by lumbermen's spiked boots; burned matches and the ends of cheap cigars lay about.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading ON THE TRAIL Heavy rain swept the valley, the evening was cold, and Jim stood near the big rusty stove at Tillicum House, drying his wet clothes.
used of mouth or eyes
From this reading A door opened on a passage where a small, wet towel hung above a row of tin basins filled with dirty water.
the act of passing from one state or place to the next
From this reading A door opened on a passage where a small, wet towel hung above a row of tin basins filled with dirty water.
by chance
From this reading He had eaten a very bad supper and imagined the wooden hotel on the North trail was perhaps the worst at which he had stopped.
a tube with a small bowl at one end; used for smoking tobacco
From this reading The board walls were cracked and stained by resin and drops of tarry liquid fell from the bend where the stove pipe went through the ceiling.
water falling in drops from vapor condensed in the atmosphere
From this reading ON THE TRAIL Heavy rain swept the valley, the evening was cold, and Jim stood near the big rusty stove at Tillicum House, drying his wet clothes.
resinnounUS /ˈrezən/
any of a class of solid or semisolid viscous substances obtained either as exudations from certain plants or prepared by polymerization of simple molecules
From this reading The board walls were cracked and stained by resin and drops of tarry liquid fell from the bend where the stove pipe went through the ceiling.
an arrangement of objects or people side by side in a line
From this reading A door opened on a passage where a small, wet towel hung above a row of tin basins filled with dirty water.
rustyadjectiveUS /ˈrʌsti/
covered with or consisting of rust
From this reading ON THE TRAIL Heavy rain swept the valley, the evening was cold, and Jim stood near the big rusty stove at Tillicum House, drying his wet clothes.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading A door opened on a passage where a small, wet towel hung above a row of tin basins filled with dirty water.
spikedadjectiveUS /spaɪkt/
having a long sharp point
From this reading The floor was torn by lumbermen's spiked boots; burned matches and the ends of cheap cigars lay about.
stainedadjectiveUS /steɪnd/
marked or dyed or discolored with foreign matter
From this reading The board walls were cracked and stained by resin and drops of tarry liquid fell from the bend where the stove pipe went through the ceiling.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading ON THE TRAIL Heavy rain swept the valley, the evening was cold, and Jim stood near the big rusty stove at Tillicum House, drying his wet clothes.
(of a nose) blocked
From this reading He had eaten a very bad supper and imagined the wooden hotel on the North trail was perhaps the worst at which he had stopped.
stovenounUS /stoʊv/
a kitchen appliance used for cooking food
From this reading ON THE TRAIL Heavy rain swept the valley, the evening was cold, and Jim stood near the big rusty stove at Tillicum House, drying his wet clothes.
a light evening meal; served in early evening if dinner is at midday or served late in the evening at bedtime
From this reading He had eaten a very bad supper and imagined the wooden hotel on the North trail was perhaps the worst at which he had stopped.
possessing sweep
From this reading ON THE TRAIL Heavy rain swept the valley, the evening was cold, and Jim stood near the big rusty stove at Tillicum House, drying his wet clothes.
tarryverbUS /ˈteri/
be about
From this reading The board walls were cracked and stained by resin and drops of tarry liquid fell from the bend where the stove pipe went through the ceiling.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading ON THE TRAIL Heavy rain swept the valley, the evening was cold, and Jim stood near the big rusty stove at Tillicum House, drying his wet clothes.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading The board walls were cracked and stained by resin and drops of tarry liquid fell from the bend where the stove pipe went through the ceiling.
Tillicum
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ON THE TRAIL Heavy rain swept the valley, the evening was cold, and Jim stood near the big rusty stove at Tillicum House, drying his wet clothes.
tinnounUS /tɪn/
a silvery malleable metallic element that resists corrosion; used in many alloys and to coat other metals to prevent corrosion; obtained chiefly from cassiterite where it occurs as tin oxide
From this reading A door opened on a passage where a small, wet towel hung above a row of tin basins filled with dirty water.
having edges that are jagged from injury
From this reading The floor was torn by lumbermen's spiked boots; burned matches and the ends of cheap cigars lay about.
towelnounUS /ˈtaʊəl/
a rectangular piece of absorbent cloth (or paper) for drying or wiping
From this reading A door opened on a passage where a small, wet towel hung above a row of tin basins filled with dirty water.
a track or mark left by something that has passed
From this reading ON THE TRAIL Heavy rain swept the valley, the evening was cold, and Jim stood near the big rusty stove at Tillicum House, drying his wet clothes.
a long depression in the surface of the land that usually contains a river
From this reading ON THE TRAIL Heavy rain swept the valley, the evening was cold, and Jim stood near the big rusty stove at Tillicum House, drying his wet clothes.
precisely as stated
From this reading He had eaten a very bad supper and imagined the wooden hotel on the North trail was perhaps the worst at which he had stopped.
plural of “wall” — an architectural partition with a height and length greater than its thickness; used to divide or enclose an area or to support another structure
From this reading The board walls were cracked and stained by resin and drops of tarry liquid fell from the bend where the stove pipe went through the ceiling.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading ON THE TRAIL Heavy rain swept the valley, the evening was cold, and Jim stood near the big rusty stove at Tillicum House, drying his wet clothes.
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 A door opened on a passage where a small, wet towel hung above a row of tin basins filled with dirty water.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading The board walls were cracked and stained by resin and drops of tarry liquid fell from the bend where the stove pipe went through the ceiling.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The board walls were cracked and stained by resin and drops of tarry liquid fell from the bend where the stove pipe went through the ceiling.
covered or soaked with a liquid such as water
From this reading ON THE TRAIL Heavy rain swept the valley, the evening was cold, and Jim stood near the big rusty stove at Tillicum House, drying his wet clothes.
in or at the place that
From this reading The board walls were cracked and stained by resin and drops of tarry liquid fell from the bend where the stove pipe went through the ceiling.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading He had eaten a very bad supper and imagined the wooden hotel on the North trail was perhaps the worst at which he had stopped.
in the company of; together with
From this reading A door opened on a passage where a small, wet towel hung above a row of tin basins filled with dirty water.
made or consisting of (entirely or in part) or employing wood
From this reading He had eaten a very bad supper and imagined the wooden hotel on the North trail was perhaps the worst at which he had stopped.
the least favorable outcome
From this reading He had eaten a very bad supper and imagined the wooden hotel on the North trail was perhaps the worst at which he had stopped.
