used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A great gaunt giant of the forest, large as a man and quick as a tiger, who had been ready the instant before to engage in an uneven battle with Joyce’s dog leader, Dannie, saw Jim Baley approaching on the run and turned to leap at him.
tending to become more severe or wider in scope
From this reading Born and reared in the rough timber-grown hills of Kentucky, he was as slim and active as a blacksnake.
aloneadjectiveUS /əˈloʊn/
Having no one else present.
From this reading For him an axe was not alone an axe.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading A great gaunt giant of the forest, large as a man and quick as a tiger, who had been ready the instant before to engage in an uneven battle with Joyce’s dog leader, Dannie, saw Jim Baley approaching on the run and turned to leap at him.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The fight waged at Joyce Mills’ camp with the gray shadows that were timber wolves was short and furious.
the event of one object coming closer to another
From this reading A great gaunt giant of the forest, large as a man and quick as a tiger, who had been ready the instant before to engage in an uneven battle with Joyce’s dog leader, Dannie, saw Jim Baley approaching on the run and turned to leap at him.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading A great gaunt giant of the forest, large as a man and quick as a tiger, who had been ready the instant before to engage in an uneven battle with Joyce’s dog leader, Dannie, saw Jim Baley approaching on the run and turned to leap at him.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The fight waged at Joyce Mills’ camp with the gray shadows that were timber wolves was short and furious.
axenounUS /æks/
an edge tool with a heavy bladed head mounted across a handle
From this reading For him an axe was not alone an axe.
Baley
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A great gaunt giant of the forest, large as a man and quick as a tiger, who had been ready the instant before to engage in an uneven battle with Joyce’s dog leader, Dannie, saw Jim Baley approaching on the run and turned to leap at him.
a hostile meeting of opposing military forces in the course of a war
From this reading A great gaunt giant of the forest, large as a man and quick as a tiger, who had been ready the instant before to engage in an uneven battle with Joyce’s dog leader, Dannie, saw Jim Baley approaching on the run and turned to leap at him.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading A great gaunt giant of the forest, large as a man and quick as a tiger, who had been ready the instant before to engage in an uneven battle with Joyce’s dog leader, Dannie, saw Jim Baley approaching on the run and turned to leap at him.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading A great gaunt giant of the forest, large as a man and quick as a tiger, who had been ready the instant before to engage in an uneven battle with Joyce’s dog leader, Dannie, saw Jim Baley approaching on the run and turned to leap at him.
blacksnakenoun
large harmless shiny black North American snake
From this reading Born and reared in the rough timber-grown hills of Kentucky, he was as slim and active as a blacksnake.
brought into existence
From this reading Born and reared in the rough timber-grown hills of Kentucky, he was as slim and active as a blacksnake.
temporary living quarters specially built by the army for soldiers
From this reading The fight waged at Joyce Mills’ camp with the gray shadows that were timber wolves was short and furious.
a young person of either sex
From this reading Jim was no child.
Dannie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A great gaunt giant of the forest, large as a man and quick as a tiger, who had been ready the instant before to engage in an uneven battle with Joyce’s dog leader, Dannie, saw Jim Baley approaching on the run and turned to leap at him.
a member of the genus Canis (probably descended from the common wolf) that has been domesticated by man since prehistoric times; occurs in many breeds
From this reading A great gaunt giant of the forest, large as a man and quick as a tiger, who had been ready the instant before to engage in an uneven battle with Joyce’s dog leader, Dannie, saw Jim Baley approaching on the run and turned to leap at him.
engageverbUS /enˈɡeɪdʒ/
carry out or participate in an activity; be involved in
From this reading A great gaunt giant of the forest, large as a man and quick as a tiger, who had been ready the instant before to engage in an uneven battle with Joyce’s dog leader, Dannie, saw Jim Baley approaching on the run and turned to leap at him.
be engaged in a fight; carry on a fight
From this reading The fight waged at Joyce Mills’ camp with the gray shadows that were timber wolves was short and furious.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading For him an axe was not alone an axe.
the trees and other plants in a large densely wooded area
From this reading A great gaunt giant of the forest, large as a man and quick as a tiger, who had been ready the instant before to engage in an uneven battle with Joyce’s dog leader, Dannie, saw Jim Baley approaching on the run and turned to leap at him.
furiousadjectiveUS /ˈfjʊriəs/
marked by extreme and violent energy
From this reading The fight waged at Joyce Mills’ camp with the gray shadows that were timber wolves was short and furious.
gauntadjectiveUS /ɡɔːnt/
very thin especially from disease or hunger or cold
From this reading A great gaunt giant of the forest, large as a man and quick as a tiger, who had been ready the instant before to engage in an uneven battle with Joyce’s dog leader, Dannie, saw Jim Baley approaching on the run and turned to leap at him.
any creature of exceptional size
From this reading A great gaunt giant of the forest, large as a man and quick as a tiger, who had been ready the instant before to engage in an uneven battle with Joyce’s dog leader, Dannie, saw Jim Baley approaching on the run and turned to leap at him.
a neutral achromatic color midway between white and black
From this reading The fight waged at Joyce Mills’ camp with the gray shadows that were timber wolves was short and furious.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading A great gaunt giant of the forest, large as a man and quick as a tiger, who had been ready the instant before to engage in an uneven battle with Joyce’s dog leader, Dannie, saw Jim Baley approaching on the run and turned to leap at him.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading A great gaunt giant of the forest, large as a man and quick as a tiger, who had been ready the instant before to engage in an uneven battle with Joyce’s dog leader, Dannie, saw Jim Baley approaching on the run and turned to leap at him.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Born and reared in the rough timber-grown hills of Kentucky, he was as slim and active as a blacksnake.
plural of “hill” — a local and well-defined elevation of the land
From this reading Born and reared in the rough timber-grown hills of Kentucky, he was as slim and active as a blacksnake.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading A great gaunt giant of the forest, large as a man and quick as a tiger, who had been ready the instant before to engage in an uneven battle with Joyce’s dog leader, Dannie, saw Jim Baley approaching on the run and turned to leap at him.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading A great gaunt giant of the forest, large as a man and quick as a tiger, who had been ready the instant before to engage in an uneven battle with Joyce’s dog leader, Dannie, saw Jim Baley approaching on the run and turned to leap at him.
a very short time (as the time it takes the eye to blink or the heart to beat)
From this reading A great gaunt giant of the forest, large as a man and quick as a tiger, who had been ready the instant before to engage in an uneven battle with Joyce’s dog leader, Dannie, saw Jim Baley approaching on the run and turned to leap at him.
Jim
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A great gaunt giant of the forest, large as a man and quick as a tiger, who had been ready the instant before to engage in an uneven battle with Joyce’s dog leader, Dannie, saw Jim Baley approaching on the run and turned to leap at him.
JoycenounUS /dʒɔɪs/
influential Irish writer noted for his many innovations (such as stream of consciousness writing) (1882-1941)
From this reading The fight waged at Joyce Mills’ camp with the gray shadows that were timber wolves was short and furious.
Joyce'snounUS /ˈdʒɔɪsɪz/
possessive form of “joyce” — influential Irish writer noted for his many innovations (such as stream of consciousness writing) (1882-1941)
From this reading A great gaunt giant of the forest, large as a man and quick as a tiger, who had been ready the instant before to engage in an uneven battle with Joyce’s dog leader, Dannie, saw Jim Baley approaching on the run and turned to leap at him.
KentuckynounUS /kənˈtʌki/
a state in east central United States; a border state during the American Civil War; famous for breeding race horses
From this reading Born and reared in the rough timber-grown hills of Kentucky, he was as slim and active as a blacksnake.
largeadjectiveUS /lɑːrdʒ/
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading A great gaunt giant of the forest, large as a man and quick as a tiger, who had been ready the instant before to engage in an uneven battle with Joyce’s dog leader, Dannie, saw Jim Baley approaching on the run and turned to leap at him.
a person who rules or guides or inspires others
From this reading A great gaunt giant of the forest, large as a man and quick as a tiger, who had been ready the instant before to engage in an uneven battle with Joyce’s dog leader, Dannie, saw Jim Baley approaching on the run and turned to leap at him.
leapnounUS /liːp/
a light, self-propelled movement upwards or forwards
From this reading A great gaunt giant of the forest, large as a man and quick as a tiger, who had been ready the instant before to engage in an uneven battle with Joyce’s dog leader, Dannie, saw Jim Baley approaching on the run and turned to leap at him.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading A great gaunt giant of the forest, large as a man and quick as a tiger, who had been ready the instant before to engage in an uneven battle with Joyce’s dog leader, Dannie, saw Jim Baley approaching on the run and turned to leap at him.
MillsnounUS /mɪlz/
United States architect who was the presidentially appointed architect of Washington D.C. (1781-1855)
From this reading The fight waged at Joyce Mills’ camp with the gray shadows that were timber wolves was short and furious.
not any; not one
From this reading Jim was no child.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading For him an axe was not alone an axe.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A great gaunt giant of the forest, large as a man and quick as a tiger, who had been ready the instant before to engage in an uneven battle with Joyce’s dog leader, Dannie, saw Jim Baley approaching on the run and turned to leap at him.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading A great gaunt giant of the forest, large as a man and quick as a tiger, who had been ready the instant before to engage in an uneven battle with Joyce’s dog leader, Dannie, saw Jim Baley approaching on the run and turned to leap at him.
accomplished rapidly and without delay
From this reading A great gaunt giant of the forest, large as a man and quick as a tiger, who had been ready the instant before to engage in an uneven battle with Joyce’s dog leader, Dannie, saw Jim Baley approaching on the run and turned to leap at him.
completely prepared or in condition for immediate action or use or progress
From this reading A great gaunt giant of the forest, large as a man and quick as a tiger, who had been ready the instant before to engage in an uneven battle with Joyce’s dog leader, Dannie, saw Jim Baley approaching on the run and turned to leap at him.
rearedverbUS /rɪrd/
past form of “rear” — stand up on the hind legs, of quadrupeds
From this reading Born and reared in the rough timber-grown hills of Kentucky, he was as slim and active as a blacksnake.
having or caused by an irregular surface
From this reading Born and reared in the rough timber-grown hills of Kentucky, he was as slim and active as a blacksnake.
move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time
From this reading A great gaunt giant of the forest, large as a man and quick as a tiger, who had been ready the instant before to engage in an uneven battle with Joyce’s dog leader, Dannie, saw Jim Baley approaching on the run and turned to leap at him.
cut with a saw
From this reading A great gaunt giant of the forest, large as a man and quick as a tiger, who had been ready the instant before to engage in an uneven battle with Joyce’s dog leader, Dannie, saw Jim Baley approaching on the run and turned to leap at him.
plural of “shadow” — shade within clear boundaries
From this reading The fight waged at Joyce Mills’ camp with the gray shadows that were timber wolves was short and furious.
primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration
From this reading The fight waged at Joyce Mills’ camp with the gray shadows that were timber wolves was short and furious.
slimadjectiveUS /slɪm/
being of delicate or slender build
From this reading Born and reared in the rough timber-grown hills of Kentucky, he was as slim and active as a blacksnake.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The fight waged at Joyce Mills’ camp with the gray shadows that were timber wolves was short and furious.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The fight waged at Joyce Mills’ camp with the gray shadows that were timber wolves was short and furious.
tigernounUS /ˈtaɪɡər/
a fierce or audacious person
From this reading A great gaunt giant of the forest, large as a man and quick as a tiger, who had been ready the instant before to engage in an uneven battle with Joyce’s dog leader, Dannie, saw Jim Baley approaching on the run and turned to leap at him.
timbernounUS /ˈtɪmbər/
the wood of trees cut and prepared for use as building material
From this reading The fight waged at Joyce Mills’ camp with the gray shadows that were timber wolves was short and furious.
timber-grown
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Born and reared in the rough timber-grown hills of Kentucky, he was as slim and active as a blacksnake.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading A great gaunt giant of the forest, large as a man and quick as a tiger, who had been ready the instant before to engage in an uneven battle with Joyce’s dog leader, Dannie, saw Jim Baley approaching on the run and turned to leap at him.
moved around an axis or center
From this reading A great gaunt giant of the forest, large as a man and quick as a tiger, who had been ready the instant before to engage in an uneven battle with Joyce’s dog leader, Dannie, saw Jim Baley approaching on the run and turned to leap at him.
unevenadjectiveUS /əˈniːvən/
not even or uniform as e.g. in shape or texture
From this reading A great gaunt giant of the forest, large as a man and quick as a tiger, who had been ready the instant before to engage in an uneven battle with Joyce’s dog leader, Dannie, saw Jim Baley approaching on the run and turned to leap at him.
wagedverbUS /weɪdʒd/
past form of “wage” — carry on (wars, battles, or campaigns)
From this reading The fight waged at Joyce Mills’ camp with the gray shadows that were timber wolves was short and furious.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The fight waged at Joyce Mills’ camp with the gray shadows that were timber wolves was short and furious.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The fight waged at Joyce Mills’ camp with the gray shadows that were timber wolves was short and furious.
which person or people
From this reading A great gaunt giant of the forest, large as a man and quick as a tiger, who had been ready the instant before to engage in an uneven battle with Joyce’s dog leader, Dannie, saw Jim Baley approaching on the run and turned to leap at him.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The fight waged at Joyce Mills’ camp with the gray shadows that were timber wolves was short and furious.
wolvesnounUS /wʊlvz/
plural of “wolf” — any of various predatory carnivorous canine mammals of North America and Eurasia that usually hunt in packs
From this reading The fight waged at Joyce Mills’ camp with the gray shadows that were timber wolves was short and furious.
