used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading It began with a grand feast cooked out-of-doors in the brass kettle which was the pride of Roy's life.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading That brass kettle stood upon a scout fireplace of stones, and from its interior a hunter's stew diffused its luscious fragrance to those who sat about, feeding the companionable fire.
be able to spare or give up
From this reading The scouts were quite masters of the situation, their coming must have been like a freshening breeze to the lonely visitant at the old deserted camp, and their fun and brisk efficiency and readiness seemed to give him a new life and afford him amusement which was expressed in that silent, likeable, yet haunting smile.
AfterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading AROUND THE FIRE After this decisive conflict the period of reconstruction or rather the period of demolition, began auspiciously.
using the voice; not silently
From this reading It was not often that he laughed aloud and he talked but little, and then with a kind of diffidence that seemed odd in one so much their senior.
a feeling of delight at being entertained
From this reading The scouts were quite masters of the situation, their coming must have been like a freshening breeze to the lonely visitant at the old deserted camp, and their fun and brisk efficiency and readiness seemed to give him a new life and afford him amusement which was expressed in that silent, likeable, yet haunting smile.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading That brass kettle stood upon a scout fireplace of stones, and from its interior a hunter's stew diffused its luscious fragrance to those who sat about, feeding the companionable fire.
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading AROUND THE FIRE After this decisive conflict the period of reconstruction or rather the period of demolition, began auspiciously.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The scouts were quite masters of the situation, their coming must have been like a freshening breeze to the lonely visitant at the old deserted camp, and their fun and brisk efficiency and readiness seemed to give him a new life and afford him amusement which was expressed in that silent, likeable, yet haunting smile.
auspiciouslyadverb
in an auspicious manner
From this reading AROUND THE FIRE After this decisive conflict the period of reconstruction or rather the period of demolition, began auspiciously.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The scouts were quite masters of the situation, their coming must have been like a freshening breeze to the lonely visitant at the old deserted camp, and their fun and brisk efficiency and readiness seemed to give him a new life and afford him amusement which was expressed in that silent, likeable, yet haunting smile.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading AROUND THE FIRE After this decisive conflict the period of reconstruction or rather the period of demolition, began auspiciously.
brassnounUS /bræs/
an alloy of copper and zinc
From this reading It began with a grand feast cooked out-of-doors in the brass kettle which was the pride of Roy's life.
a slight wind (usually refreshing)
From this reading The scouts were quite masters of the situation, their coming must have been like a freshening breeze to the lonely visitant at the old deserted camp, and their fun and brisk efficiency and readiness seemed to give him a new life and afford him amusement which was expressed in that silent, likeable, yet haunting smile.
briskadjectiveUS /brɪsk/
quick and energetic
From this reading The scouts were quite masters of the situation, their coming must have been like a freshening breeze to the lonely visitant at the old deserted camp, and their fun and brisk efficiency and readiness seemed to give him a new life and afford him amusement which was expressed in that silent, likeable, yet haunting smile.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading It was not often that he laughed aloud and he talked but little, and then with a kind of diffidence that seemed odd in one so much their senior.
temporary living quarters specially built by the army for soldiers
From this reading The scouts were quite masters of the situation, their coming must have been like a freshening breeze to the lonely visitant at the old deserted camp, and their fun and brisk efficiency and readiness seemed to give him a new life and afford him amusement which was expressed in that silent, likeable, yet haunting smile.
the act of drawing spatially closer to something
From this reading The scouts were quite masters of the situation, their coming must have been like a freshening breeze to the lonely visitant at the old deserted camp, and their fun and brisk efficiency and readiness seemed to give him a new life and afford him amusement which was expressed in that silent, likeable, yet haunting smile.
companionableadjective
suggestive of companionship
From this reading That brass kettle stood upon a scout fireplace of stones, and from its interior a hunter's stew diffused its luscious fragrance to those who sat about, feeding the companionable fire.
conflictnounUS /ˈkɑːnflɪkt/
an open clash between two opposing groups (or individuals)
From this reading AROUND THE FIRE After this decisive conflict the period of reconstruction or rather the period of demolition, began auspiciously.
cookedadjectiveUS /kʊkt/
having been prepared for eating by the application of heat
From this reading It began with a grand feast cooked out-of-doors in the brass kettle which was the pride of Roy's life.
decisiveadjectiveUS /dɪˈsaɪsɪv/
determining or having the power to determine an outcome
From this reading AROUND THE FIRE After this decisive conflict the period of reconstruction or rather the period of demolition, began auspiciously.
demolitionnounUS /ˌdeməˈlɪʃən/
an event (or the result of an event) that completely destroys something
From this reading AROUND THE FIRE After this decisive conflict the period of reconstruction or rather the period of demolition, began auspiciously.
forsaken by owner or inhabitants
From this reading The scouts were quite masters of the situation, their coming must have been like a freshening breeze to the lonely visitant at the old deserted camp, and their fun and brisk efficiency and readiness seemed to give him a new life and afford him amusement which was expressed in that silent, likeable, yet haunting smile.
diffidencenoun
lack of self-confidence
From this reading It was not often that he laughed aloud and he talked but little, and then with a kind of diffidence that seemed odd in one so much their senior.
diffusedadjectiveUS /dɪˈfjuːzd/
(of light rays) subjected to scattering by reflection from a rough surface or transmission through a translucent material
From this reading That brass kettle stood upon a scout fireplace of stones, and from its interior a hunter's stew diffused its luscious fragrance to those who sat about, feeding the companionable fire.
efficiencynounUS /ɪˈfɪʃənsi/
the ratio of the output to the input of any system
From this reading The scouts were quite masters of the situation, their coming must have been like a freshening breeze to the lonely visitant at the old deserted camp, and their fun and brisk efficiency and readiness seemed to give him a new life and afford him amusement which was expressed in that silent, likeable, yet haunting smile.
communicated in words
From this reading The scouts were quite masters of the situation, their coming must have been like a freshening breeze to the lonely visitant at the old deserted camp, and their fun and brisk efficiency and readiness seemed to give him a new life and afford him amusement which was expressed in that silent, likeable, yet haunting smile.
a ceremonial dinner party for many people
From this reading It began with a grand feast cooked out-of-doors in the brass kettle which was the pride of Roy's life.
feedingnounUS /ˈfiːdɪŋ/
the act of consuming food
From this reading That brass kettle stood upon a scout fireplace of stones, and from its interior a hunter's stew diffused its luscious fragrance to those who sat about, feeding the companionable fire.
start firing a weapon
From this reading AROUND THE FIRE After this decisive conflict the period of reconstruction or rather the period of demolition, began auspiciously.
fireplacenounUS /ˈfaɪərpleɪs/
an open recess in a wall at the base of a chimney where a fire can be built
From this reading That brass kettle stood upon a scout fireplace of stones, and from its interior a hunter's stew diffused its luscious fragrance to those who sat about, feeding the companionable fire.
fragrancenounUS /ˈfreɪɡrəns/
a distinctive odor that is pleasant
From this reading That brass kettle stood upon a scout fireplace of stones, and from its interior a hunter's stew diffused its luscious fragrance to those who sat about, feeding the companionable fire.
fresheningverbUS /ˈfreʃənɪŋ/
-ing form of “freshen” — make (to feel) fresh
From this reading The scouts were quite masters of the situation, their coming must have been like a freshening breeze to the lonely visitant at the old deserted camp, and their fun and brisk efficiency and readiness seemed to give him a new life and afford him amusement which was expressed in that silent, likeable, yet haunting smile.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading That brass kettle stood upon a scout fireplace of stones, and from its interior a hunter's stew diffused its luscious fragrance to those who sat about, feeding the companionable fire.
activities that are enjoyable or amusing
From this reading The scouts were quite masters of the situation, their coming must have been like a freshening breeze to the lonely visitant at the old deserted camp, and their fun and brisk efficiency and readiness seemed to give him a new life and afford him amusement which was expressed in that silent, likeable, yet haunting smile.
cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading The scouts were quite masters of the situation, their coming must have been like a freshening breeze to the lonely visitant at the old deserted camp, and their fun and brisk efficiency and readiness seemed to give him a new life and afford him amusement which was expressed in that silent, likeable, yet haunting smile.
of behavior that is impressive and ambitious in scale or scope
From this reading It began with a grand feast cooked out-of-doors in the brass kettle which was the pride of Roy's life.
hauntingadjectiveUS /ˈhɔːntɪŋ/
continually recurring to the mind
From this reading The scouts were quite masters of the situation, their coming must have been like a freshening breeze to the lonely visitant at the old deserted camp, and their fun and brisk efficiency and readiness seemed to give him a new life and afford him amusement which was expressed in that silent, likeable, yet haunting smile.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading The scouts were quite masters of the situation, their coming must have been like a freshening breeze to the lonely visitant at the old deserted camp, and their fun and brisk efficiency and readiness seemed to give him a new life and afford him amusement which was expressed in that silent, likeable, yet haunting smile.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading It was not often that he laughed aloud and he talked but little, and then with a kind of diffidence that seemed odd in one so much their senior.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The scouts were quite masters of the situation, their coming must have been like a freshening breeze to the lonely visitant at the old deserted camp, and their fun and brisk efficiency and readiness seemed to give him a new life and afford him amusement which was expressed in that silent, likeable, yet haunting smile.
hunter'snounUS /ˈhʌntərz/
possessive form of “hunter” — someone who hunts game
From this reading That brass kettle stood upon a scout fireplace of stones, and from its interior a hunter's stew diffused its luscious fragrance to those who sat about, feeding the companionable fire.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading It began with a grand feast cooked out-of-doors in the brass kettle which was the pride of Roy's life.
interioradjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈtɪriər/
situated within or suitable for inside a building
From this reading That brass kettle stood upon a scout fireplace of stones, and from its interior a hunter's stew diffused its luscious fragrance to those who sat about, feeding the companionable fire.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It began with a grand feast cooked out-of-doors in the brass kettle which was the pride of Roy's life.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading That brass kettle stood upon a scout fireplace of stones, and from its interior a hunter's stew diffused its luscious fragrance to those who sat about, feeding the companionable fire.
kettlenounUS /ˈketəl/
a metal pot for stewing or boiling; usually has a lid
From this reading It began with a grand feast cooked out-of-doors in the brass kettle which was the pride of Roy's life.
having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior
From this reading It was not often that he laughed aloud and he talked but little, and then with a kind of diffidence that seemed odd in one so much their senior.
past form of “laugh” — produce laughter
From this reading It was not often that he laughed aloud and he talked but little, and then with a kind of diffidence that seemed odd in one so much their senior.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading It began with a grand feast cooked out-of-doors in the brass kettle which was the pride of Roy's life.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading The scouts were quite masters of the situation, their coming must have been like a freshening breeze to the lonely visitant at the old deserted camp, and their fun and brisk efficiency and readiness seemed to give him a new life and afford him amusement which was expressed in that silent, likeable, yet haunting smile.
likeableadjectiveUS /ˈlaɪkəbəl/
(of characters in literature or drama) evoking empathic or sympathetic feelings
From this reading The scouts were quite masters of the situation, their coming must have been like a freshening breeze to the lonely visitant at the old deserted camp, and their fun and brisk efficiency and readiness seemed to give him a new life and afford him amusement which was expressed in that silent, likeable, yet haunting smile.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading It was not often that he laughed aloud and he talked but little, and then with a kind of diffidence that seemed odd in one so much their senior.
lacking companions or companionship
From this reading The scouts were quite masters of the situation, their coming must have been like a freshening breeze to the lonely visitant at the old deserted camp, and their fun and brisk efficiency and readiness seemed to give him a new life and afford him amusement which was expressed in that silent, likeable, yet haunting smile.
lusciousadjectiveUS /ˈlʌʃɪs/
having strong sexual appeal
From this reading That brass kettle stood upon a scout fireplace of stones, and from its interior a hunter's stew diffused its luscious fragrance to those who sat about, feeding the companionable fire.
mastersnounUS /ˈmæstərz/
United States poet (1869-1950)
From this reading The scouts were quite masters of the situation, their coming must have been like a freshening breeze to the lonely visitant at the old deserted camp, and their fun and brisk efficiency and readiness seemed to give him a new life and afford him amusement which was expressed in that silent, likeable, yet haunting smile.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading It was not often that he laughed aloud and he talked but little, and then with a kind of diffidence that seemed odd in one so much their senior.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading The scouts were quite masters of the situation, their coming must have been like a freshening breeze to the lonely visitant at the old deserted camp, and their fun and brisk efficiency and readiness seemed to give him a new life and afford him amusement which was expressed in that silent, likeable, yet haunting smile.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading The scouts were quite masters of the situation, their coming must have been like a freshening breeze to the lonely visitant at the old deserted camp, and their fun and brisk efficiency and readiness seemed to give him a new life and afford him amusement which was expressed in that silent, likeable, yet haunting smile.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading It was not often that he laughed aloud and he talked but little, and then with a kind of diffidence that seemed odd in one so much their senior.
not divisible by two
From this reading It was not often that he laughed aloud and he talked but little, and then with a kind of diffidence that seemed odd in one so much their senior.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading AROUND THE FIRE After this decisive conflict the period of reconstruction or rather the period of demolition, began auspiciously.
many times at short intervals
From this reading It was not often that he laughed aloud and he talked but little, and then with a kind of diffidence that seemed odd in one so much their senior.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading The scouts were quite masters of the situation, their coming must have been like a freshening breeze to the lonely visitant at the old deserted camp, and their fun and brisk efficiency and readiness seemed to give him a new life and afford him amusement which was expressed in that silent, likeable, yet haunting smile.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading It was not often that he laughed aloud and he talked but little, and then with a kind of diffidence that seemed odd in one so much their senior.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading AROUND THE FIRE After this decisive conflict the period of reconstruction or rather the period of demolition, began auspiciously.
out-of-doorsnoun
where the air is unconfined
From this reading It began with a grand feast cooked out-of-doors in the brass kettle which was the pride of Roy's life.
an amount of time
From this reading AROUND THE FIRE After this decisive conflict the period of reconstruction or rather the period of demolition, began auspiciously.
a feeling of self-respect and personal worth
From this reading It began with a grand feast cooked out-of-doors in the brass kettle which was the pride of Roy's life.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading The scouts were quite masters of the situation, their coming must have been like a freshening breeze to the lonely visitant at the old deserted camp, and their fun and brisk efficiency and readiness seemed to give him a new life and afford him amusement which was expressed in that silent, likeable, yet haunting smile.
on the contrary
From this reading AROUND THE FIRE After this decisive conflict the period of reconstruction or rather the period of demolition, began auspiciously.
readinessnounUS /ˈredinəs/
the state of having been made ready or prepared for use or action (especially military action)
From this reading The scouts were quite masters of the situation, their coming must have been like a freshening breeze to the lonely visitant at the old deserted camp, and their fun and brisk efficiency and readiness seemed to give him a new life and afford him amusement which was expressed in that silent, likeable, yet haunting smile.
reconstructionnounUS /ˌriːkənˈstrʌkʃən/
the period after the American Civil War when the southern states were reorganized and reintegrated into the Union; 1865-1877
From this reading AROUND THE FIRE After this decisive conflict the period of reconstruction or rather the period of demolition, began auspiciously.
Roy's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It began with a grand feast cooked out-of-doors in the brass kettle which was the pride of Roy's life.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading That brass kettle stood upon a scout fireplace of stones, and from its interior a hunter's stew diffused its luscious fragrance to those who sat about, feeding the companionable fire.
scoutnounUS /skaʊt/
a person employed to keep watch for some anticipated event
From this reading That brass kettle stood upon a scout fireplace of stones, and from its interior a hunter's stew diffused its luscious fragrance to those who sat about, feeding the companionable fire.
scoutsnounUS /skaʊts/
plural of “scout” — a person employed to keep watch for some anticipated event
From this reading The scouts were quite masters of the situation, their coming must have been like a freshening breeze to the lonely visitant at the old deserted camp, and their fun and brisk efficiency and readiness seemed to give him a new life and afford him amusement which was expressed in that silent, likeable, yet haunting smile.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading The scouts were quite masters of the situation, their coming must have been like a freshening breeze to the lonely visitant at the old deserted camp, and their fun and brisk efficiency and readiness seemed to give him a new life and afford him amusement which was expressed in that silent, likeable, yet haunting smile.
senioradjectiveUS /ˈsiːnjər/
older; higher in rank; longer in length of tenure or service
From this reading It was not often that he laughed aloud and he talked but little, and then with a kind of diffidence that seemed odd in one so much their senior.
marked by absence of sound
From this reading The scouts were quite masters of the situation, their coming must have been like a freshening breeze to the lonely visitant at the old deserted camp, and their fun and brisk efficiency and readiness seemed to give him a new life and afford him amusement which was expressed in that silent, likeable, yet haunting smile.
the general state of things; the combination of circumstances at a given time
From this reading The scouts were quite masters of the situation, their coming must have been like a freshening breeze to the lonely visitant at the old deserted camp, and their fun and brisk efficiency and readiness seemed to give him a new life and afford him amusement which was expressed in that silent, likeable, yet haunting smile.
change one's facial expression by spreading the lips, often to signal pleasure
From this reading The scouts were quite masters of the situation, their coming must have been like a freshening breeze to the lonely visitant at the old deserted camp, and their fun and brisk efficiency and readiness seemed to give him a new life and afford him amusement which was expressed in that silent, likeable, yet haunting smile.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading It was not often that he laughed aloud and he talked but little, and then with a kind of diffidence that seemed odd in one so much their senior.
stewverbUS /stuː/
be in a huff; be silent or sullen
From this reading That brass kettle stood upon a scout fireplace of stones, and from its interior a hunter's stew diffused its luscious fragrance to those who sat about, feeding the companionable fire.
plural of “stone” — a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter
From this reading That brass kettle stood upon a scout fireplace of stones, and from its interior a hunter's stew diffused its luscious fragrance to those who sat about, feeding the companionable fire.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading That brass kettle stood upon a scout fireplace of stones, and from its interior a hunter's stew diffused its luscious fragrance to those who sat about, feeding the companionable fire.
past form of “talk” — exchange thoughts; talk with
From this reading It was not often that he laughed aloud and he talked but little, and then with a kind of diffidence that seemed odd in one so much their senior.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading That brass kettle stood upon a scout fireplace of stones, and from its interior a hunter's stew diffused its luscious fragrance to those who sat about, feeding the companionable fire.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading AROUND THE FIRE After this decisive conflict the period of reconstruction or rather the period of demolition, began auspiciously.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The scouts were quite masters of the situation, their coming must have been like a freshening breeze to the lonely visitant at the old deserted camp, and their fun and brisk efficiency and readiness seemed to give him a new life and afford him amusement which was expressed in that silent, likeable, yet haunting smile.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading It was not often that he laughed aloud and he talked but little, and then with a kind of diffidence that seemed odd in one so much their senior.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading AROUND THE FIRE After this decisive conflict the period of reconstruction or rather the period of demolition, began auspiciously.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading That brass kettle stood upon a scout fireplace of stones, and from its interior a hunter's stew diffused its luscious fragrance to those who sat about, feeding the companionable fire.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading That brass kettle stood upon a scout fireplace of stones, and from its interior a hunter's stew diffused its luscious fragrance to those who sat about, feeding the companionable fire.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading That brass kettle stood upon a scout fireplace of stones, and from its interior a hunter's stew diffused its luscious fragrance to those who sat about, feeding the companionable fire.
visitantnoun
someone who visits
From this reading The scouts were quite masters of the situation, their coming must have been like a freshening breeze to the lonely visitant at the old deserted camp, and their fun and brisk efficiency and readiness seemed to give him a new life and afford him amusement which was expressed in that silent, likeable, yet haunting smile.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It began with a grand feast cooked out-of-doors in the brass kettle which was the pride of Roy's life.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The scouts were quite masters of the situation, their coming must have been like a freshening breeze to the lonely visitant at the old deserted camp, and their fun and brisk efficiency and readiness seemed to give him a new life and afford him amusement which was expressed in that silent, likeable, yet haunting smile.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading It began with a grand feast cooked out-of-doors in the brass kettle which was the pride of Roy's life.
which person or people
From this reading That brass kettle stood upon a scout fireplace of stones, and from its interior a hunter's stew diffused its luscious fragrance to those who sat about, feeding the companionable fire.
in the company of; together with
From this reading It began with a grand feast cooked out-of-doors in the brass kettle which was the pride of Roy's life.
but in spite of that
From this reading The scouts were quite masters of the situation, their coming must have been like a freshening breeze to the lonely visitant at the old deserted camp, and their fun and brisk efficiency and readiness seemed to give him a new life and afford him amusement which was expressed in that silent, likeable, yet haunting smile.
