used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A broken shovel which Skippy salvaged from one of the rubbish piles was dragged upstairs with the forlorn hope that it might prove useful if they found nothing better.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading The kitchen cupboard was next attacked but after an hour's work they found that that too availed them nothing.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading Warm and perspiring, they walked through the gloomy rooms and sat down to rest in the vast, almost dark parlor.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The kitchen cupboard was next attacked but after an hour's work they found that that too availed them nothing.
Belonging to the very distant past and no longer in existence or deeply revered.
From this reading THE SEARCH The cellar yielded nothing in their search but mouldy rubbish, ancient cobwebs and the stone crock which Frost had indicated as their water supply.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE SEARCH The cellar yielded nothing in their search but mouldy rubbish, ancient cobwebs and the stone crock which Frost had indicated as their water supply.
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading Skippy looked around at the chairs and sighed.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading THE SEARCH The cellar yielded nothing in their search but mouldy rubbish, ancient cobwebs and the stone crock which Frost had indicated as their water supply.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Skippy looked around at the chairs and sighed.
attackedverbUS /əˈtækt/
past form of “attack” — launch an attack or assault on; begin hostilities or start warfare with
From this reading The kitchen cupboard was next attacked but after an hour's work they found that that too availed them nothing.
availedverbUS /əˈveɪld/
past form of “avail” — use to one's advantage
From this reading The kitchen cupboard was next attacked but after an hour's work they found that that too availed them nothing.
(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 A broken shovel which Skippy salvaged from one of the rubbish piles was dragged upstairs with the forlorn hope that it might prove useful if they found nothing better.
physically and forcibly separated into pieces or cracked or split
From this reading A broken shovel which Skippy salvaged from one of the rubbish piles was dragged upstairs with the forlorn hope that it might prove useful if they found nothing better.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading THE SEARCH The cellar yielded nothing in their search but mouldy rubbish, ancient cobwebs and the stone crock which Frost had indicated as their water supply.
cellarnounUS /ˈselər/
the lowermost portion of a structure partly or wholly below ground level; often used for storage
From this reading THE SEARCH The cellar yielded nothing in their search but mouldy rubbish, ancient cobwebs and the stone crock which Frost had indicated as their water supply.
plural of “chair” — a seat for one person, with a support for the back
From this reading Skippy looked around at the chairs and sighed.
cobwebsnounUS /ˈkɑːbwebz/
plural of “cobweb” — a fabric so delicate and transparent as to resemble a web of a spider
From this reading THE SEARCH The cellar yielded nothing in their search but mouldy rubbish, ancient cobwebs and the stone crock which Frost had indicated as their water supply.
crocknounUS /krɑːk/
a black colloidal substance consisting wholly or principally of amorphous carbon and used to make pigments and ink
From this reading THE SEARCH The cellar yielded nothing in their search but mouldy rubbish, ancient cobwebs and the stone crock which Frost had indicated as their water supply.
cupboardnounUS /ˈkʌbərd/
a small room (or recess) or cabinet used for storage space
From this reading The kitchen cupboard was next attacked but after an hour's work they found that that too availed them nothing.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading Warm and perspiring, they walked through the gloomy rooms and sat down to rest in the vast, almost dark parlor.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading Warm and perspiring, they walked through the gloomy rooms and sat down to rest in the vast, almost dark parlor.
inflected form of “drag” — pull, as against a resistance
From this reading A broken shovel which Skippy salvaged from one of the rubbish piles was dragged upstairs with the forlorn hope that it might prove useful if they found nothing better.
forlornadjectiveUS /fərˈlɔːrn/
marked by or showing hopelessness
From this reading A broken shovel which Skippy salvaged from one of the rubbish piles was dragged upstairs with the forlorn hope that it might prove useful if they found nothing better.
set up or found
From this reading A broken shovel which Skippy salvaged from one of the rubbish piles was dragged upstairs with the forlorn hope that it might prove useful if they found nothing better.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading A broken shovel which Skippy salvaged from one of the rubbish piles was dragged upstairs with the forlorn hope that it might prove useful if they found nothing better.
FrostnounUS /frɔːst/
ice crystals forming a white deposit (especially on objects outside)
From this reading THE SEARCH The cellar yielded nothing in their search but mouldy rubbish, ancient cobwebs and the stone crock which Frost had indicated as their water supply.
depressingly dark
From this reading Warm and perspiring, they walked through the gloomy rooms and sat down to rest in the vast, almost dark parlor.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading THE SEARCH The cellar yielded nothing in their search but mouldy rubbish, ancient cobwebs and the stone crock which Frost had indicated as their water supply.
a specific instance of feeling hopeful
From this reading A broken shovel which Skippy salvaged from one of the rubbish piles was dragged upstairs with the forlorn hope that it might prove useful if they found nothing better.
hour'snounUS /ˈaʊərz/
possessive form of “hour” — a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading The kitchen cupboard was next attacked but after an hour's work they found that that too availed them nothing.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading A broken shovel which Skippy salvaged from one of the rubbish piles was dragged upstairs with the forlorn hope that it might prove useful if they found nothing better.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THE SEARCH The cellar yielded nothing in their search but mouldy rubbish, ancient cobwebs and the stone crock which Frost had indicated as their water supply.
indicatedverbUS /ˈɪndəkeɪtəd/
past form of “indicate” — be a signal for or a symptom of
From this reading THE SEARCH The cellar yielded nothing in their search but mouldy rubbish, ancient cobwebs and the stone crock which Frost had indicated as their water supply.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading A broken shovel which Skippy salvaged from one of the rubbish piles was dragged upstairs with the forlorn hope that it might prove useful if they found nothing better.
a room equipped for preparing meals
From this reading The kitchen cupboard was next attacked but after an hour's work they found that that too availed them nothing.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading Skippy looked around at the chairs and sighed.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading A broken shovel which Skippy salvaged from one of the rubbish piles was dragged upstairs with the forlorn hope that it might prove useful if they found nothing better.
mouldyadjectiveUS /ˈmoʊldi/
covered with or smelling of mold
From this reading THE SEARCH The cellar yielded nothing in their search but mouldy rubbish, ancient cobwebs and the stone crock which Frost had indicated as their water supply.
immediately following in time or order
From this reading The kitchen cupboard was next attacked but after an hour's work they found that that too availed them nothing.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading THE SEARCH The cellar yielded nothing in their search but mouldy rubbish, ancient cobwebs and the stone crock which Frost had indicated as their water supply.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A broken shovel which Skippy salvaged from one of the rubbish piles was dragged upstairs with the forlorn hope that it might prove useful if they found nothing better.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading A broken shovel which Skippy salvaged from one of the rubbish piles was dragged upstairs with the forlorn hope that it might prove useful if they found nothing better.
parlornounUS /ˈpɑːrlər/
reception room in an inn or club where visitors can be received
From this reading Warm and perspiring, they walked through the gloomy rooms and sat down to rest in the vast, almost dark parlor.
perspiringverbUS /pərˈspaɪrɪŋ/
-ing form of “perspire” — excrete perspiration through the pores in the skin
From this reading Warm and perspiring, they walked through the gloomy rooms and sat down to rest in the vast, almost dark parlor.
pilesnounUS /paɪlz/
venous swelling external or internal to the anal sphincter
From this reading A broken shovel which Skippy salvaged from one of the rubbish piles was dragged upstairs with the forlorn hope that it might prove useful if they found nothing better.
be shown or be found to be
From this reading A broken shovel which Skippy salvaged from one of the rubbish piles was dragged upstairs with the forlorn hope that it might prove useful if they found nothing better.
not move; be in a resting position
From this reading Warm and perspiring, they walked through the gloomy rooms and sat down to rest in the vast, almost dark parlor.
apartment consisting of a series of connected rooms used as a living unit (as in a hotel)
From this reading Warm and perspiring, they walked through the gloomy rooms and sat down to rest in the vast, almost dark parlor.
rubbishnounUS /ˈrʌbɪʃ/
worthless material that is to be disposed of
From this reading THE SEARCH The cellar yielded nothing in their search but mouldy rubbish, ancient cobwebs and the stone crock which Frost had indicated as their water supply.
salvagedverbUS /ˈsælvɪdʒd/
past form of “salvage” — save from ruin, destruction, or harm
From this reading A broken shovel which Skippy salvaged from one of the rubbish piles was dragged upstairs with the forlorn hope that it might prove useful if they found nothing better.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading Warm and perspiring, they walked through the gloomy rooms and sat down to rest in the vast, almost dark parlor.
try to locate or discover, or try to establish the existence of
From this reading THE SEARCH The cellar yielded nothing in their search but mouldy rubbish, ancient cobwebs and the stone crock which Frost had indicated as their water supply.
shovelnounUS /ˈʃʌvəl/
a hand tool for lifting loose material; consists of a curved container or scoop and a handle
From this reading A broken shovel which Skippy salvaged from one of the rubbish piles was dragged upstairs with the forlorn hope that it might prove useful if they found nothing better.
past form of “sigh” — heave or utter a sigh; breathe deeply and heavily
From this reading Skippy looked around at the chairs and sighed.
Skippy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A broken shovel which Skippy salvaged from one of the rubbish piles was dragged upstairs with the forlorn hope that it might prove useful if they found nothing better.
a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter
From this reading THE SEARCH The cellar yielded nothing in their search but mouldy rubbish, ancient cobwebs and the stone crock which Frost had indicated as their water supply.
give something useful or necessary to
From this reading THE SEARCH The cellar yielded nothing in their search but mouldy rubbish, ancient cobwebs and the stone crock which Frost had indicated as their water supply.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading A broken shovel which Skippy salvaged from one of the rubbish piles was dragged upstairs with the forlorn hope that it might prove useful if they found nothing better.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE SEARCH The cellar yielded nothing in their search but mouldy rubbish, ancient cobwebs and the stone crock which Frost had indicated as their water supply.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading THE SEARCH The cellar yielded nothing in their search but mouldy rubbish, ancient cobwebs and the stone crock which Frost had indicated as their water supply.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading The kitchen cupboard was next attacked but after an hour's work they found that that too availed them nothing.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading A broken shovel which Skippy salvaged from one of the rubbish piles was dragged upstairs with the forlorn hope that it might prove useful if they found nothing better.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading Warm and perspiring, they walked through the gloomy rooms and sat down to rest in the vast, almost dark parlor.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Warm and perspiring, they walked through the gloomy rooms and sat down to rest in the vast, almost dark parlor.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading The kitchen cupboard was next attacked but after an hour's work they found that that too availed them nothing.
on a floor above
From this reading A broken shovel which Skippy salvaged from one of the rubbish piles was dragged upstairs with the forlorn hope that it might prove useful if they found nothing better.
being of use or service
From this reading A broken shovel which Skippy salvaged from one of the rubbish piles was dragged upstairs with the forlorn hope that it might prove useful if they found nothing better.
unusually great in size or amount or degree or especially extent or scope
From this reading Warm and perspiring, they walked through the gloomy rooms and sat down to rest in the vast, almost dark parlor.
past form of “walk” — use one's feet to advance; advance by steps
From this reading Warm and perspiring, they walked through the gloomy rooms and sat down to rest in the vast, almost dark parlor.
having or producing a comfortable and agreeable degree of heat or imparting or maintaining heat
From this reading Warm and perspiring, they walked through the gloomy rooms and sat down to rest in the vast, almost dark parlor.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading A broken shovel which Skippy salvaged from one of the rubbish piles was dragged upstairs with the forlorn hope that it might prove useful if they found nothing better.
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 THE SEARCH The cellar yielded nothing in their search but mouldy rubbish, ancient cobwebs and the stone crock which Frost had indicated as their water supply.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading THE SEARCH The cellar yielded nothing in their search but mouldy rubbish, ancient cobwebs and the stone crock which Frost had indicated as their water supply.
in the company of; together with
From this reading A broken shovel which Skippy salvaged from one of the rubbish piles was dragged upstairs with the forlorn hope that it might prove useful if they found nothing better.
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading The kitchen cupboard was next attacked but after an hour's work they found that that too availed them nothing.
yieldedverbUS /ˈjiːldɪd/
past form of “yield” — be the cause or source of
From this reading THE SEARCH The cellar yielded nothing in their search but mouldy rubbish, ancient cobwebs and the stone crock which Frost had indicated as their water supply.
