used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading THE WAIF OF THE SNOW FOREST Ethan winked several times as though he could hardly believe his eyes, and little wonder; for there, half lying in the snow was a child, a sturdy looking little chap not over five years of age possibly, and uttering sounds that the boys now realized were pitiful moans.
in actual fact
From this reading Apparently the little fellow had actually tried to light a fire, for there were a few sticks gathered, and half burned matches that had been struck in the useless endeavor to ignite the wood, lay scattered on the surface of the snow.
how long something has existed
From this reading THE WAIF OF THE SNOW FOREST Ethan winked several times as though he could hardly believe his eyes, and little wonder; for there, half lying in the snow was a child, a sturdy looking little chap not over five years of age possibly, and uttering sounds that the boys now realized were pitiful moans.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE WAIF OF THE SNOW FOREST Ethan winked several times as though he could hardly believe his eyes, and little wonder; for there, half lying in the snow was a child, a sturdy looking little chap not over five years of age possibly, and uttering sounds that the boys now realized were pitiful moans.
from appearances alone
From this reading Apparently the little fellow had actually tried to light a fire, for there were a few sticks gathered, and half burned matches that had been struck in the useless endeavor to ignite the wood, lay scattered on the surface of the snow.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading THE WAIF OF THE SNOW FOREST Ethan winked several times as though he could hardly believe his eyes, and little wonder; for there, half lying in the snow was a child, a sturdy looking little chap not over five years of age possibly, and uttering sounds that the boys now realized were pitiful moans.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading "Look at the little make-believe popgun, Phil," said Ethan, in a quivering voice; "honest to goodness, I believe he's started out to hunt game just as his daddy is in the habit of doing, and got lost.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading But, Phil, he must be nearly frozen.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Apparently the little fellow had actually tried to light a fire, for there were a few sticks gathered, and half burned matches that had been struck in the useless endeavor to ignite the wood, lay scattered on the surface of the snow.
accept as true; take to be true
From this reading THE WAIF OF THE SNOW FOREST Ethan winked several times as though he could hardly believe his eyes, and little wonder; for there, half lying in the snow was a child, a sturdy looking little chap not over five years of age possibly, and uttering sounds that the boys now realized were pitiful moans.
plural of “boy” — a youthful male person
From this reading THE WAIF OF THE SNOW FOREST Ethan winked several times as though he could hardly believe his eyes, and little wonder; for there, half lying in the snow was a child, a sturdy looking little chap not over five years of age possibly, and uttering sounds that the boys now realized were pitiful moans.
treated by heating to a high temperature but below the melting or fusing point
From this reading Apparently the little fellow had actually tried to light a fire, for there were a few sticks gathered, and half burned matches that had been struck in the useless endeavor to ignite the wood, lay scattered on the surface of the snow.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But, Phil, he must be nearly frozen.
a boy or man
From this reading THE WAIF OF THE SNOW FOREST Ethan winked several times as though he could hardly believe his eyes, and little wonder; for there, half lying in the snow was a child, a sturdy looking little chap not over five years of age possibly, and uttering sounds that the boys now realized were pitiful moans.
a young person of either sex
From this reading THE WAIF OF THE SNOW FOREST Ethan winked several times as though he could hardly believe his eyes, and little wonder; for there, half lying in the snow was a child, a sturdy looking little chap not over five years of age possibly, and uttering sounds that the boys now realized were pitiful moans.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading THE WAIF OF THE SNOW FOREST Ethan winked several times as though he could hardly believe his eyes, and little wonder; for there, half lying in the snow was a child, a sturdy looking little chap not over five years of age possibly, and uttering sounds that the boys now realized were pitiful moans.
daddynounUS /ˈdædi/
an informal term for a father; probably derived from baby talk
From this reading "Look at the little make-believe popgun, Phil," said Ethan, in a quivering voice; "honest to goodness, I believe he's started out to hunt game just as his daddy is in the habit of doing, and got lost.
-ing form of “do” — engage in
From this reading "Look at the little make-believe popgun, Phil," said Ethan, in a quivering voice; "honest to goodness, I believe he's started out to hunt game just as his daddy is in the habit of doing, and got lost.
endeavornounUS /ɪnˈdevər/
a purposeful or industrious undertaking (especially one that requires effort or boldness)
From this reading Apparently the little fellow had actually tried to light a fire, for there were a few sticks gathered, and half burned matches that had been struck in the useless endeavor to ignite the wood, lay scattered on the surface of the snow.
Ethan
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE WAIF OF THE SNOW FOREST Ethan winked several times as though he could hardly believe his eyes, and little wonder; for there, half lying in the snow was a child, a sturdy looking little chap not over five years of age possibly, and uttering sounds that the boys now realized were pitiful moans.
opinion or judgment
From this reading THE WAIF OF THE SNOW FOREST Ethan winked several times as though he could hardly believe his eyes, and little wonder; for there, half lying in the snow was a child, a sturdy looking little chap not over five years of age possibly, and uttering sounds that the boys now realized were pitiful moans.
a boy or man
From this reading Apparently the little fellow had actually tried to light a fire, for there were a few sticks gathered, and half burned matches that had been struck in the useless endeavor to ignite the wood, lay scattered on the surface of the snow.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading Apparently the little fellow had actually tried to light a fire, for there were a few sticks gathered, and half burned matches that had been struck in the useless endeavor to ignite the wood, lay scattered on the surface of the snow.
start firing a weapon
From this reading Apparently the little fellow had actually tried to light a fire, for there were a few sticks gathered, and half burned matches that had been struck in the useless endeavor to ignite the wood, lay scattered on the surface of the snow.
the cardinal number that is the sum of four and one
From this reading THE WAIF OF THE SNOW FOREST Ethan winked several times as though he could hardly believe his eyes, and little wonder; for there, half lying in the snow was a child, a sturdy looking little chap not over five years of age possibly, and uttering sounds that the boys now realized were pitiful moans.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading THE WAIF OF THE SNOW FOREST Ethan winked several times as though he could hardly believe his eyes, and little wonder; for there, half lying in the snow was a child, a sturdy looking little chap not over five years of age possibly, and uttering sounds that the boys now realized were pitiful moans.
the trees and other plants in a large densely wooded area
From this reading THE WAIF OF THE SNOW FOREST Ethan winked several times as though he could hardly believe his eyes, and little wonder; for there, half lying in the snow was a child, a sturdy looking little chap not over five years of age possibly, and uttering sounds that the boys now realized were pitiful moans.
frozenadjectiveUS /ˈfroʊzən/
turned into ice; affected by freezing or by long and severe cold
From this reading But, Phil, he must be nearly frozen.
a contest with rules to determine a winner
From this reading "Look at the little make-believe popgun, Phil," said Ethan, in a quivering voice; "honest to goodness, I believe he's started out to hunt game just as his daddy is in the habit of doing, and got lost.
brought together in one place
From this reading Apparently the little fellow had actually tried to light a fire, for there were a few sticks gathered, and half burned matches that had been struck in the useless endeavor to ignite the wood, lay scattered on the surface of the snow.
come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading Let's get a fire going and thaw him out in a hurry!"
the act of departing
From this reading Let's get a fire going and thaw him out in a hurry!"
that which is pleasing or valuable or useful
From this reading "Look at the little make-believe popgun, Phil," said Ethan, in a quivering voice; "honest to goodness, I believe he's started out to hunt game just as his daddy is in the habit of doing, and got lost.
inflected form of “get” — come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading "Look at the little make-believe popgun, Phil," said Ethan, in a quivering voice; "honest to goodness, I believe he's started out to hunt game just as his daddy is in the habit of doing, and got lost.
an established custom
From this reading "Look at the little make-believe popgun, Phil," said Ethan, in a quivering voice; "honest to goodness, I believe he's started out to hunt game just as his daddy is in the habit of doing, and got lost.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Apparently the little fellow had actually tried to light a fire, for there were a few sticks gathered, and half burned matches that had been struck in the useless endeavor to ignite the wood, lay scattered on the surface of the snow.
consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity
From this reading THE WAIF OF THE SNOW FOREST Ethan winked several times as though he could hardly believe his eyes, and little wonder; for there, half lying in the snow was a child, a sturdy looking little chap not over five years of age possibly, and uttering sounds that the boys now realized were pitiful moans.
only a very short time before
From this reading THE WAIF OF THE SNOW FOREST Ethan winked several times as though he could hardly believe his eyes, and little wonder; for there, half lying in the snow was a child, a sturdy looking little chap not over five years of age possibly, and uttering sounds that the boys now realized were pitiful moans.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading THE WAIF OF THE SNOW FOREST Ethan winked several times as though he could hardly believe his eyes, and little wonder; for there, half lying in the snow was a child, a sturdy looking little chap not over five years of age possibly, and uttering sounds that the boys now realized were pitiful moans.
he's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Look at the little make-believe popgun, Phil," said Ethan, in a quivering voice; "honest to goodness, I believe he's started out to hunt game just as his daddy is in the habit of doing, and got lost.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Let's get a fire going and thaw him out in a hurry!"
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading THE WAIF OF THE SNOW FOREST Ethan winked several times as though he could hardly believe his eyes, and little wonder; for there, half lying in the snow was a child, a sturdy looking little chap not over five years of age possibly, and uttering sounds that the boys now realized were pitiful moans.
not disposed to cheat or defraud; not deceptive or fraudulent
From this reading "Look at the little make-believe popgun, Phil," said Ethan, in a quivering voice; "honest to goodness, I believe he's started out to hunt game just as his daddy is in the habit of doing, and got lost.
pursue for food or sport (as of wild animals)
From this reading "Look at the little make-believe popgun, Phil," said Ethan, in a quivering voice; "honest to goodness, I believe he's started out to hunt game just as his daddy is in the habit of doing, and got lost.
a condition of urgency making it necessary to hurry
From this reading Let's get a fire going and thaw him out in a hurry!"
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "Look at the little make-believe popgun, Phil," said Ethan, in a quivering voice; "honest to goodness, I believe he's started out to hunt game just as his daddy is in the habit of doing, and got lost.
igniteverbUS /ˌɪɡˈnaɪt/
cause to start burning; subject to fire or great heat
From this reading Apparently the little fellow had actually tried to light a fire, for there were a few sticks gathered, and half burned matches that had been struck in the useless endeavor to ignite the wood, lay scattered on the surface of the snow.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THE WAIF OF THE SNOW FOREST Ethan winked several times as though he could hardly believe his eyes, and little wonder; for there, half lying in the snow was a child, a sturdy looking little chap not over five years of age possibly, and uttering sounds that the boys now realized were pitiful moans.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "Look at the little make-believe popgun, Phil," said Ethan, in a quivering voice; "honest to goodness, I believe he's started out to hunt game just as his daddy is in the habit of doing, and got lost.
and nothing more
From this reading "Look at the little make-believe popgun, Phil," said Ethan, in a quivering voice; "honest to goodness, I believe he's started out to hunt game just as his daddy is in the habit of doing, and got lost.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading Apparently the little fellow had actually tried to light a fire, for there were a few sticks gathered, and half burned matches that had been struck in the useless endeavor to ignite the wood, lay scattered on the surface of the snow.
Let's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Let's get a fire going and thaw him out in a hurry!"
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading Apparently the little fellow had actually tried to light a fire, for there were a few sticks gathered, and half burned matches that had been struck in the useless endeavor to ignite the wood, lay scattered on the surface of the snow.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading THE WAIF OF THE SNOW FOREST Ethan winked several times as though he could hardly believe his eyes, and little wonder; for there, half lying in the snow was a child, a sturdy looking little chap not over five years of age possibly, and uttering sounds that the boys now realized were pitiful moans.
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading "Look at the little make-believe popgun, Phil," said Ethan, in a quivering voice; "honest to goodness, I believe he's started out to hunt game just as his daddy is in the habit of doing, and got lost.
the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually
From this reading THE WAIF OF THE SNOW FOREST Ethan winked several times as though he could hardly believe his eyes, and little wonder; for there, half lying in the snow was a child, a sturdy looking little chap not over five years of age possibly, and uttering sounds that the boys now realized were pitiful moans.
no longer in your possession or control; unable to be found or recovered
From this reading "Look at the little make-believe popgun, Phil," said Ethan, in a quivering voice; "honest to goodness, I believe he's started out to hunt game just as his daddy is in the habit of doing, and got lost.
the deliberate act of deviating from the truth
From this reading THE WAIF OF THE SNOW FOREST Ethan winked several times as though he could hardly believe his eyes, and little wonder; for there, half lying in the snow was a child, a sturdy looking little chap not over five years of age possibly, and uttering sounds that the boys now realized were pitiful moans.
make-believenoun
imaginative intellectual play
From this reading "Look at the little make-believe popgun, Phil," said Ethan, in a quivering voice; "honest to goodness, I believe he's started out to hunt game just as his daddy is in the habit of doing, and got lost.
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 Apparently the little fellow had actually tried to light a fire, for there were a few sticks gathered, and half burned matches that had been struck in the useless endeavor to ignite the wood, lay scattered on the surface of the snow.
moansnounUS /moʊnz/
plural of “moan” — an utterance expressing pain or disapproval
From this reading THE WAIF OF THE SNOW FOREST Ethan winked several times as though he could hardly believe his eyes, and little wonder; for there, half lying in the snow was a child, a sturdy looking little chap not over five years of age possibly, and uttering sounds that the boys now realized were pitiful moans.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading But, Phil, he must be nearly frozen.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading But, Phil, he must be nearly frozen.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading THE WAIF OF THE SNOW FOREST Ethan winked several times as though he could hardly believe his eyes, and little wonder; for there, half lying in the snow was a child, a sturdy looking little chap not over five years of age possibly, and uttering sounds that the boys now realized were pitiful moans.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading THE WAIF OF THE SNOW FOREST Ethan winked several times as though he could hardly believe his eyes, and little wonder; for there, half lying in the snow was a child, a sturdy looking little chap not over five years of age possibly, and uttering sounds that the boys now realized were pitiful moans.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE WAIF OF THE SNOW FOREST Ethan winked several times as though he could hardly believe his eyes, and little wonder; for there, half lying in the snow was a child, a sturdy looking little chap not over five years of age possibly, and uttering sounds that the boys now realized were pitiful moans.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Apparently the little fellow had actually tried to light a fire, for there were a few sticks gathered, and half burned matches that had been struck in the useless endeavor to ignite the wood, lay scattered on the surface of the snow.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading "Look at the little make-believe popgun, Phil," said Ethan, in a quivering voice; "honest to goodness, I believe he's started out to hunt game just as his daddy is in the habit of doing, and got lost.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading THE WAIF OF THE SNOW FOREST Ethan winked several times as though he could hardly believe his eyes, and little wonder; for there, half lying in the snow was a child, a sturdy looking little chap not over five years of age possibly, and uttering sounds that the boys now realized were pitiful moans.
Phil
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Look at the little make-believe popgun, Phil," said Ethan, in a quivering voice; "honest to goodness, I believe he's started out to hunt game just as his daddy is in the habit of doing, and got lost.
pitifuladjectiveUS /ˈpɪtəfəl/
inspiring mixed contempt and pity
From this reading THE WAIF OF THE SNOW FOREST Ethan winked several times as though he could hardly believe his eyes, and little wonder; for there, half lying in the snow was a child, a sturdy looking little chap not over five years of age possibly, and uttering sounds that the boys now realized were pitiful moans.
popgunnoun
plaything consisting of a toy gun that makes a popping sound
From this reading "Look at the little make-believe popgun, Phil," said Ethan, in a quivering voice; "honest to goodness, I believe he's started out to hunt game just as his daddy is in the habit of doing, and got lost.
by chance
From this reading THE WAIF OF THE SNOW FOREST Ethan winked several times as though he could hardly believe his eyes, and little wonder; for there, half lying in the snow was a child, a sturdy looking little chap not over five years of age possibly, and uttering sounds that the boys now realized were pitiful moans.
quiveringnounUS /ˈkwɪvərɪŋ/
a shaky motion
From this reading "Look at the little make-believe popgun, Phil," said Ethan, in a quivering voice; "honest to goodness, I believe he's started out to hunt game just as his daddy is in the habit of doing, and got lost.
successfully completed or brought to an end
From this reading THE WAIF OF THE SNOW FOREST Ethan winked several times as though he could hardly believe his eyes, and little wonder; for there, half lying in the snow was a child, a sturdy looking little chap not over five years of age possibly, and uttering sounds that the boys now realized were pitiful moans.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading "Look at the little make-believe popgun, Phil," said Ethan, in a quivering voice; "honest to goodness, I believe he's started out to hunt game just as his daddy is in the habit of doing, and got lost.
occurring or distributed over widely spaced and irregular intervals in time or space
From this reading Apparently the little fellow had actually tried to light a fire, for there were a few sticks gathered, and half burned matches that had been struck in the useless endeavor to ignite the wood, lay scattered on the surface of the snow.
(used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many
From this reading THE WAIF OF THE SNOW FOREST Ethan winked several times as though he could hardly believe his eyes, and little wonder; for there, half lying in the snow was a child, a sturdy looking little chap not over five years of age possibly, and uttering sounds that the boys now realized were pitiful moans.
precipitation falling from clouds in the form of ice crystals
From this reading THE WAIF OF THE SNOW FOREST Ethan winked several times as though he could hardly believe his eyes, and little wonder; for there, half lying in the snow was a child, a sturdy looking little chap not over five years of age possibly, and uttering sounds that the boys now realized were pitiful moans.
plural of “sound” — the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause
From this reading THE WAIF OF THE SNOW FOREST Ethan winked several times as though he could hardly believe his eyes, and little wonder; for there, half lying in the snow was a child, a sturdy looking little chap not over five years of age possibly, and uttering sounds that the boys now realized were pitiful moans.
past form of “start” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading "Look at the little make-believe popgun, Phil," said Ethan, in a quivering voice; "honest to goodness, I believe he's started out to hunt game just as his daddy is in the habit of doing, and got lost.
sticksnounUS /stɪks/
plural of “stick” — an implement consisting of a length of wood
From this reading Apparently the little fellow had actually tried to light a fire, for there were a few sticks gathered, and half burned matches that had been struck in the useless endeavor to ignite the wood, lay scattered on the surface of the snow.
(used in combination) affected by something overwhelming
From this reading Apparently the little fellow had actually tried to light a fire, for there were a few sticks gathered, and half burned matches that had been struck in the useless endeavor to ignite the wood, lay scattered on the surface of the snow.
sturdyadjectiveUS /ˈstɜːrdi/
having rugged physical strength; inured to fatigue or hardships
From this reading THE WAIF OF THE SNOW FOREST Ethan winked several times as though he could hardly believe his eyes, and little wonder; for there, half lying in the snow was a child, a sturdy looking little chap not over five years of age possibly, and uttering sounds that the boys now realized were pitiful moans.
the outer boundary of an artifact or a material layer constituting or resembling such a boundary
From this reading Apparently the little fellow had actually tried to light a fire, for there were a few sticks gathered, and half burned matches that had been struck in the useless endeavor to ignite the wood, lay scattered on the surface of the snow.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading THE WAIF OF THE SNOW FOREST Ethan winked several times as though he could hardly believe his eyes, and little wonder; for there, half lying in the snow was a child, a sturdy looking little chap not over five years of age possibly, and uttering sounds that the boys now realized were pitiful moans.
thawnounUS /θɔː/
the process whereby heat changes something from a solid to a liquid
From this reading Let's get a fire going and thaw him out in a hurry!"
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE WAIF OF THE SNOW FOREST Ethan winked several times as though he could hardly believe his eyes, and little wonder; for there, half lying in the snow was a child, a sturdy looking little chap not over five years of age possibly, and uttering sounds that the boys now realized were pitiful moans.
in or at that place or location
From this reading THE WAIF OF THE SNOW FOREST Ethan winked several times as though he could hardly believe his eyes, and little wonder; for there, half lying in the snow was a child, a sturdy looking little chap not over five years of age possibly, and uttering sounds that the boys now realized were pitiful moans.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading THE WAIF OF THE SNOW FOREST Ethan winked several times as though he could hardly believe his eyes, and little wonder; for there, half lying in the snow was a child, a sturdy looking little chap not over five years of age possibly, and uttering sounds that the boys now realized were pitiful moans.
a more or less definite period of time now or previously present
From this reading THE WAIF OF THE SNOW FOREST Ethan winked several times as though he could hardly believe his eyes, and little wonder; for there, half lying in the snow was a child, a sturdy looking little chap not over five years of age possibly, and uttering sounds that the boys now realized were pitiful moans.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Apparently the little fellow had actually tried to light a fire, for there were a few sticks gathered, and half burned matches that had been struck in the useless endeavor to ignite the wood, lay scattered on the surface of the snow.
tested and proved useful or correct
From this reading Apparently the little fellow had actually tried to light a fire, for there were a few sticks gathered, and half burned matches that had been struck in the useless endeavor to ignite the wood, lay scattered on the surface of the snow.
having no beneficial use or incapable of functioning usefully
From this reading Apparently the little fellow had actually tried to light a fire, for there were a few sticks gathered, and half burned matches that had been struck in the useless endeavor to ignite the wood, lay scattered on the surface of the snow.
utteringverbUS /ˈʌtərɪŋ/
-ing form of “utter” — articulate; either verbally or with a cry, shout, or noise
From this reading THE WAIF OF THE SNOW FOREST Ethan winked several times as though he could hardly believe his eyes, and little wonder; for there, half lying in the snow was a child, a sturdy looking little chap not over five years of age possibly, and uttering sounds that the boys now realized were pitiful moans.
the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech
From this reading "Look at the little make-believe popgun, Phil," said Ethan, in a quivering voice; "honest to goodness, I believe he's started out to hunt game just as his daddy is in the habit of doing, and got lost.
WAIFnounUS /weɪf/
a homeless child especially one forsaken or orphaned
From this reading THE WAIF OF THE SNOW FOREST Ethan winked several times as though he could hardly believe his eyes, and little wonder; for there, half lying in the snow was a child, a sturdy looking little chap not over five years of age possibly, and uttering sounds that the boys now realized were pitiful moans.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE WAIF OF THE SNOW FOREST Ethan winked several times as though he could hardly believe his eyes, and little wonder; for there, half lying in the snow was a child, a sturdy looking little chap not over five years of age possibly, and uttering sounds that the boys now realized were pitiful moans.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading THE WAIF OF THE SNOW FOREST Ethan winked several times as though he could hardly believe his eyes, and little wonder; for there, half lying in the snow was a child, a sturdy looking little chap not over five years of age possibly, and uttering sounds that the boys now realized were pitiful moans.
winkedverbUS /wɪŋkt/
past form of “wink” — signal by winking
From this reading THE WAIF OF THE SNOW FOREST Ethan winked several times as though he could hardly believe his eyes, and little wonder; for there, half lying in the snow was a child, a sturdy looking little chap not over five years of age possibly, and uttering sounds that the boys now realized were pitiful moans.
the feeling aroused by something strange and surprising
From this reading THE WAIF OF THE SNOW FOREST Ethan winked several times as though he could hardly believe his eyes, and little wonder; for there, half lying in the snow was a child, a sturdy looking little chap not over five years of age possibly, and uttering sounds that the boys now realized were pitiful moans.
the hard fibrous lignified substance under the bark of trees
From this reading Apparently the little fellow had actually tried to light a fire, for there were a few sticks gathered, and half burned matches that had been struck in the useless endeavor to ignite the wood, lay scattered on the surface of the snow.
a late time of life
From this reading THE WAIF OF THE SNOW FOREST Ethan winked several times as though he could hardly believe his eyes, and little wonder; for there, half lying in the snow was a child, a sturdy looking little chap not over five years of age possibly, and uttering sounds that the boys now realized were pitiful moans.
