used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading THE EVERGREEN TREE The remainder of the night was a torment.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Frost went downstairs about six o'clock--Skippy had already learned to distinguish his lighter, hurried step from Devlin's heavy tread.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading The light did no more than seep in, however, for the storm left in its wake gray, sullen skies and air that was warm and still.
prior to a specified or implied time
From this reading Frost went downstairs about six o'clock--Skippy had already learned to distinguish his lighter, hurried step from Devlin's heavy tread.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Toward dawn Skippy dozed occasionally only to awaken each time with a start to find himself trembling and expectant.
awakenverbUS /əˈweɪkən/
cause to become awake or conscious
From this reading Toward dawn Skippy dozed occasionally only to awaken each time with a start to find himself trembling and expectant.
breathlessadjectiveUS /ˈbreθləs/
not breathing or able to breathe except with difficulty
From this reading What he might hear or see he could not imagine, but he watched with relief the murky light of the new day seeping in through the chinks of the shutter and routing the dismal gloom that kept him in breathless suspense.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading What he might hear or see he could not imagine, but he watched with relief the murky light of the new day seeping in through the chinks of the shutter and routing the dismal gloom that kept him in breathless suspense.
chinksnounUS /tʃɪŋks/
plural of “chink” — (ethnic slur) offensive term for a person of Chinese descent
From this reading What he might hear or see he could not imagine, but he watched with relief the murky light of the new day seeping in through the chinks of the shutter and routing the dismal gloom that kept him in breathless suspense.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading What he might hear or see he could not imagine, but he watched with relief the murky light of the new day seeping in through the chinks of the shutter and routing the dismal gloom that kept him in breathless suspense.
the first light of day
From this reading Toward dawn Skippy dozed occasionally only to awaken each time with a start to find himself trembling and expectant.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading What he might hear or see he could not imagine, but he watched with relief the murky light of the new day seeping in through the chinks of the shutter and routing the dismal gloom that kept him in breathless suspense.
Devlin's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Frost went downstairs about six o'clock--Skippy had already learned to distinguish his lighter, hurried step from Devlin's heavy tread.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading The light did no more than seep in, however, for the storm left in its wake gray, sullen skies and air that was warm and still.
dismaladjectiveUS /ˈdɪzməl/
causing dejection
From this reading What he might hear or see he could not imagine, but he watched with relief the murky light of the new day seeping in through the chinks of the shutter and routing the dismal gloom that kept him in breathless suspense.
distinguishverbUS /dɪˈstɪŋɡwɪʃ/
mark as different
From this reading Frost went downstairs about six o'clock--Skippy had already learned to distinguish his lighter, hurried step from Devlin's heavy tread.
downstairsadverbUS /ˈdaʊnˈsterz/
on a floor below
From this reading Frost went downstairs about six o'clock--Skippy had already learned to distinguish his lighter, hurried step from Devlin's heavy tread.
dozedverbUS /doʊzd/
past form of “doze” — sleep lightly or for a short period of time
From this reading Toward dawn Skippy dozed occasionally only to awaken each time with a start to find himself trembling and expectant.
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading Toward dawn Skippy dozed occasionally only to awaken each time with a start to find himself trembling and expectant.
EVERGREENnounUS /ˈevərɡriːn/
a plant having foliage that persists and remains green throughout the year
From this reading THE EVERGREEN TREE The remainder of the night was a torment.
expectantadjectiveUS /ɪkˈspektənt/
marked by eager anticipation
From this reading Toward dawn Skippy dozed occasionally only to awaken each time with a start to find himself trembling and expectant.
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading Toward dawn Skippy dozed occasionally only to awaken each time with a start to find himself trembling and expectant.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The light did no more than seep in, however, for the storm left in its wake gray, sullen skies and air that was warm and still.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Frost went downstairs about six o'clock--Skippy had already learned to distinguish his lighter, hurried step from Devlin's heavy tread.
FrostnounUS /frɔːst/
ice crystals forming a white deposit (especially on objects outside)
From this reading Frost went downstairs about six o'clock--Skippy had already learned to distinguish his lighter, hurried step from Devlin's heavy tread.
a state of partial or total darkness
From this reading What he might hear or see he could not imagine, but he watched with relief the murky light of the new day seeping in through the chinks of the shutter and routing the dismal gloom that kept him in breathless suspense.
a neutral achromatic color midway between white and black
From this reading The light did no more than seep in, however, for the storm left in its wake gray, sullen skies and air that was warm and still.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Frost went downstairs about six o'clock--Skippy had already learned to distinguish his lighter, hurried step from Devlin's heavy tread.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading What he might hear or see he could not imagine, but he watched with relief the murky light of the new day seeping in through the chinks of the shutter and routing the dismal gloom that kept him in breathless suspense.
perceive (sound) via the auditory sense
From this reading What he might hear or see he could not imagine, but he watched with relief the murky light of the new day seeping in through the chinks of the shutter and routing the dismal gloom that kept him in breathless suspense.
of comparatively great physical weight or density
From this reading Frost went downstairs about six o'clock--Skippy had already learned to distinguish his lighter, hurried step from Devlin's heavy tread.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading What he might hear or see he could not imagine, but he watched with relief the murky light of the new day seeping in through the chinks of the shutter and routing the dismal gloom that kept him in breathless suspense.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading Toward dawn Skippy dozed occasionally only to awaken each time with a start to find himself trembling and expectant.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Frost went downstairs about six o'clock--Skippy had already learned to distinguish his lighter, hurried step from Devlin's heavy tread.
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading The light did no more than seep in, however, for the storm left in its wake gray, sullen skies and air that was warm and still.
moving rapidly or performed quickly or in great haste
From this reading Frost went downstairs about six o'clock--Skippy had already learned to distinguish his lighter, hurried step from Devlin's heavy tread.
form a mental image of something that is not present or that is not the case
From this reading What he might hear or see he could not imagine, but he watched with relief the murky light of the new day seeping in through the chinks of the shutter and routing the dismal gloom that kept him in breathless suspense.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading What he might hear or see he could not imagine, but he watched with relief the murky light of the new day seeping in through the chinks of the shutter and routing the dismal gloom that kept him in breathless suspense.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading The light did no more than seep in, however, for the storm left in its wake gray, sullen skies and air that was warm and still.
(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded
From this reading What he might hear or see he could not imagine, but he watched with relief the murky light of the new day seeping in through the chinks of the shutter and routing the dismal gloom that kept him in breathless suspense.
having or showing profound knowledge
From this reading Frost went downstairs about six o'clock--Skippy had already learned to distinguish his lighter, hurried step from Devlin's heavy tread.
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 The light did no more than seep in, however, for the storm left in its wake gray, sullen skies and air that was warm and still.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading What he might hear or see he could not imagine, but he watched with relief the murky light of the new day seeping in through the chinks of the shutter and routing the dismal gloom that kept him in breathless suspense.
lighternounUS /ˈlaɪtər/
a substance used to ignite or kindle a fire
From this reading Frost went downstairs about six o'clock--Skippy had already learned to distinguish his lighter, hurried step from Devlin's heavy tread.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading What he might hear or see he could not imagine, but he watched with relief the murky light of the new day seeping in through the chinks of the shutter and routing the dismal gloom that kept him in breathless suspense.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading The light did no more than seep in, however, for the storm left in its wake gray, sullen skies and air that was warm and still.
murkyadjectiveUS /ˈmɜːrki/
(of liquids) clouded as with sediment
From this reading What he might hear or see he could not imagine, but he watched with relief the murky light of the new day seeping in through the chinks of the shutter and routing the dismal gloom that kept him in breathless suspense.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading What he might hear or see he could not imagine, but he watched with relief the murky light of the new day seeping in through the chinks of the shutter and routing the dismal gloom that kept him in breathless suspense.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading THE EVERGREEN TREE The remainder of the night was a torment.
not any; not one
From this reading The light did no more than seep in, however, for the storm left in its wake gray, sullen skies and air that was warm and still.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading What he might hear or see he could not imagine, but he watched with relief the murky light of the new day seeping in through the chinks of the shutter and routing the dismal gloom that kept him in breathless suspense.
o'clockadverbUS /əˈklɑːk/
according to the clock
From this reading Frost went downstairs about six o'clock--Skippy had already learned to distinguish his lighter, hurried step from Devlin's heavy tread.
sporadically and infrequently
From this reading Toward dawn Skippy dozed occasionally only to awaken each time with a start to find himself trembling and expectant.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE EVERGREEN TREE The remainder of the night was a torment.
and nothing more
From this reading Toward dawn Skippy dozed occasionally only to awaken each time with a start to find himself trembling and expectant.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading What he might hear or see he could not imagine, but he watched with relief the murky light of the new day seeping in through the chinks of the shutter and routing the dismal gloom that kept him in breathless suspense.
the feeling that comes when something burdensome is removed or reduced
From this reading What he might hear or see he could not imagine, but he watched with relief the murky light of the new day seeping in through the chinks of the shutter and routing the dismal gloom that kept him in breathless suspense.
remaindernounUS /rɪˈmeɪndər/
something left after other parts have been taken away
From this reading THE EVERGREEN TREE The remainder of the night was a torment.
routingverbUS /ˈraʊtɪŋ/
-ing form of “route” — send documents or materials to appropriate destinations
From this reading What he might hear or see he could not imagine, but he watched with relief the murky light of the new day seeping in through the chinks of the shutter and routing the dismal gloom that kept him in breathless suspense.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading What he might hear or see he could not imagine, but he watched with relief the murky light of the new day seeping in through the chinks of the shutter and routing the dismal gloom that kept him in breathless suspense.
seepverbUS /siːp/
pass gradually or leak through or as if through small openings
From this reading The light did no more than seep in, however, for the storm left in its wake gray, sullen skies and air that was warm and still.
seepingadjectiveUS /ˈsiːpɪŋ/
leaking out slowly
From this reading What he might hear or see he could not imagine, but he watched with relief the murky light of the new day seeping in through the chinks of the shutter and routing the dismal gloom that kept him in breathless suspense.
shutternounUS /ˈʃʌtər/
a mechanical device on a camera that opens and closes to control the time of a photographic exposure
From this reading What he might hear or see he could not imagine, but he watched with relief the murky light of the new day seeping in through the chinks of the shutter and routing the dismal gloom that kept him in breathless suspense.
the cardinal number that is the sum of five and one
From this reading Frost went downstairs about six o'clock--Skippy had already learned to distinguish his lighter, hurried step from Devlin's heavy tread.
skiesnounUS /skaɪz/
plural of “sky” — the atmosphere and outer space as viewed from the earth
From this reading The light did no more than seep in, however, for the storm left in its wake gray, sullen skies and air that was warm and still.
Skippy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Toward dawn Skippy dozed occasionally only to awaken each time with a start to find himself trembling and expectant.
take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading Toward dawn Skippy dozed occasionally only to awaken each time with a start to find himself trembling and expectant.
any maneuver made as part of progress toward a goal
From this reading Frost went downstairs about six o'clock--Skippy had already learned to distinguish his lighter, hurried step from Devlin's heavy tread.
not in physical motion
From this reading The light did no more than seep in, however, for the storm left in its wake gray, sullen skies and air that was warm and still.
behave violently, as if in state of a great anger
From this reading The light did no more than seep in, however, for the storm left in its wake gray, sullen skies and air that was warm and still.
sullenadjectiveUS /ˈsʌlən/
showing a brooding ill humor
From this reading The light did no more than seep in, however, for the storm left in its wake gray, sullen skies and air that was warm and still.
suspensenounUS /səˈspens/
apprehension about what is going to happen
From this reading What he might hear or see he could not imagine, but he watched with relief the murky light of the new day seeping in through the chinks of the shutter and routing the dismal gloom that kept him in breathless suspense.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading The light did no more than seep in, however, for the storm left in its wake gray, sullen skies and air that was warm and still.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading What he might hear or see he could not imagine, but he watched with relief the murky light of the new day seeping in through the chinks of the shutter and routing the dismal gloom that kept him in breathless suspense.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE EVERGREEN TREE The remainder of the night was a torment.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading What he might hear or see he could not imagine, but he watched with relief the murky light of the new day seeping in through the chinks of the shutter and routing the dismal gloom that kept him in breathless suspense.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading Toward dawn Skippy dozed occasionally only to awaken each time with a start to find himself trembling and expectant.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Toward dawn Skippy dozed occasionally only to awaken each time with a start to find himself trembling and expectant.
tormentnounUS /ˈtɔːrment/
unbearable physical pain
From this reading THE EVERGREEN TREE The remainder of the night was a torment.
TowardprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrd/
in the direction of
From this reading Toward dawn Skippy dozed occasionally only to awaken each time with a start to find himself trembling and expectant.
treadverbUS /tred/
put down or press the foot, place the foot
From this reading Frost went downstairs about six o'clock--Skippy had already learned to distinguish his lighter, hurried step from Devlin's heavy tread.
a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms
From this reading THE EVERGREEN TREE The remainder of the night was a torment.
a shaky motion
From this reading Toward dawn Skippy dozed occasionally only to awaken each time with a start to find himself trembling and expectant.
be awake, be alert, be there
From this reading The light did no more than seep in, however, for the storm left in its wake gray, sullen skies and air that was warm and still.
having or producing a comfortable and agreeable degree of heat or imparting or maintaining heat
From this reading The light did no more than seep in, however, for the storm left in its wake gray, sullen skies and air that was warm and still.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE EVERGREEN TREE The remainder of the night was a torment.
past form of “watch” — look attentively
From this reading What he might hear or see he could not imagine, but he watched with relief the murky light of the new day seeping in through the chinks of the shutter and routing the dismal gloom that kept him in breathless suspense.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading Frost went downstairs about six o'clock--Skippy had already learned to distinguish his lighter, hurried step from Devlin's heavy tread.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading What he might hear or see he could not imagine, but he watched with relief the murky light of the new day seeping in through the chinks of the shutter and routing the dismal gloom that kept him in breathless suspense.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Toward dawn Skippy dozed occasionally only to awaken each time with a start to find himself trembling and expectant.
